LEE Sculpher has praised his players for bouncing back from last season's double disappointment.

The Clitheroe manager's season ended in anti-climax as they finished runners-up to Prescot Cables in the North West Counties League title race and lost to Mossley in the Worthington Challenge Trophy final.

But Sculpher's side has bounced back off the canvas to deliver a knock-out blow to their rivals so far this season.

Tuesday's 1-0 win at Squires Gate was their sixth in succession and maintained their 100 per cent start to the season.

And Sculpher is delighted that the players have responded so well to give him an early indication that they will be challenging for honours once again.

He said: "It's the attitude of the individual players. Having come so close to winning both the league and cup last year and getting neither of them, it could have been very difficult to motivate a few of the players.

"But they've gone out and shown they've got the attitude and are ready to knuckle down and get on with it.

"In the first three games we had to come from behind in all of them. It would have been easy to throw the towel in on some occasions but they've battled through all the games.

"We've played well in all the matches but not for a full game yet, so I think there is still room for improvement."

Clitheroe hope to make it seven wins in seven games when they travel to Newcastle Town tomorrow, then they have a derby at home to Ramsbottom United on Tuesday.

And Sculpher is expecting his defence to play a key part in preserving their perfect record when they travel to Lyme Valley Parkway tomorrow.

"It's always a tough fixture at Newcastle, who always seem to have a very good home record," he said.

"They are a top five, top six side and are always very attacking so it will put the onus on us to defend well enough to pick up the points."