ABINGDON...0 CLITHEROE...3

CLITHEROE cruised into the last 16 of the FA Carlsberg Vase - although they left it uncomfortably late to underline their dominance.

Two goals in the last four minutes eventually made victory safe for Lee Sculpher's men against the Isthmian League but they had the chances to have been home and dry long before then.

And they were almost made to pay for their misses by their hosts who struck the bar in a rare attack moments before Clitheroe grabbed the crucial second goal, which effectively killed the game off.

Two-goal Lee Cryer and a stunning solo effort from Chris Whittingham made sure that it was the men from Shawbridge who were celebrating at the end of 90 minutes.

"I'm delighted we are through and pleased that the game went to plan - eventually," said player-boss Sculpher, who had gone on a spying mission last week to watch Abingdon play.

"It was a very difficult pitch to try and play good football on.

"The surface was very bobbly and there was a fierce wind blowing too which combined to make control very tricky. It must have been a poor game to watch.

"We controlled the tie for long periods but took time to make it safe.

"So when the final whistle came I was a little relieved to be honest.

"Now we are through to the last 16, I am not too concerned about who we get in the next round. I suppose the club would like a home draw but the players have shown they can play anyone anywhere, so it would not concern me too much if we have to travel again.

"At this stage I'm not thinking further from the next round. People have mentioned the final to me but I'm not thinking that far ahead right now."

Clitheroe have an impressive pedigree in the Vase - having reached the Wembley final in 1996 and the semi-final stage last season - and they'll be a side that many will want to avoid in the draw.

They dominated the opening exchanges despite the conditions and, but for some better finishing, would have had the game in the bag before the break.

"We got into some good positions but their keeper pulled off a number of good saves to keep them in it. But I was a little disappointed that it took us so long to make our pressure count," said Sculpher.

He had to wait until the 40th minutes for opening goal. Martin Aspinwall made progress from the right back spot and fed Neil Spencer on the right flank. His cross picked out Cryer who lashed the ball first time into the roof of the net.

Abingdon's first real effort on goal came on the hour mark when Chris Richens turned a shot round the post but it was Clitheroe who always looked the more dangerous.

Sculpher's men forced corner after corner but couldn't take advantage.

Then with time running out they were given a real let off. A cross from the left picked out Abingdon's McMahon and he swivelled and shot but struck the bar.

Almost from the restart, Whittingham went on a run from well inside his own half and, as the keeper came to meet him, he coolly slotted the ball home to effectively seal the tie.

With time running out Cryer put a bit of gloss on the final scoreline when he finished well from Neil Reynolds' through ball.