WIMBOURNE 2 CLITHEROE 4

CLITHEROE have enjoyed many triumphs during their Cup exploits of recent years, but Saturday's FA Vase win at Wimbourne ranks with the best.

The Ribble Valley outfit pulled off a sensational win over Wimbourne, who took the prize in 1992, in an extraordinary tie to book a place in the last 16.

It looked all over when Wimbourne went ahead in the 88th minute, but an equaliser five minutes into injury time from Neil Spencer paved the way to a stunning success.

Manager Dave Burgess said: "I have been involved in some pretty exciting matches down the years, but nothing compares to this.

"We looked dead at 2-1 but the side showed incredible character and commitment to emerge victorious. Wimbourne thought they had won it, but we made sure that wasn't the case."

A crowd of more than 500 saw a lead given to the home side by Darren Elms on nine minutes cancelled out by a Martin Aspinwall effort midway through the second half.

Burgess said: "We probably had the best of the opening minutes but then they scored against the run of play. They probably shaded the rest of the first half, and we were poor compared to how I know we can play.

"We had a quiet word in their ears at half-time but they again had the better chances in the second half."

When Andy Barham gave Wimbourne the lead again late on Burgess was beginning to rehearse his after-match team talk.

But Clitheroe are nothing if not fighters and a superb finish on the turn by Spencer just seconds before the final whistle, gave Burgess's men a massive shot in the arm.

"We cleared two off the line in the second half so I was thinking that maybe it was going to be our day.

"They were throwing everything forward and we were riding our luck.

"Then Lee Sculpher came up with an overhead kick, which was cleared off the line, but knocked in by Martin Aspinwall.

"We were just waiting for extra time then, when they scored again. So I threw Jason Jones and Gary Jackson on and put five up front.

"It was Gary Jackson's debut for us, he ios only 18 but he is the top scorer in the reserves, so I threw him on.

"And five minutes into injury time Neil Spencer just found himself in space six yards out."

Then it was the turn of ace marksman Lee Cryer to get in on the scoring act. He scored in both halves of extra time to give Clitheroe an outstanding result.

"When they went 2-1 ahead I took off two defenders and brought on a couple of front lads in a do or die 2-3-5 formation," said Burgess.

"It worked, but suddenly we were left without enough recognised defenders for extra time.

"It meant we had to ask lads to play out of position but they did it to some effect and to be honest we were too much for them in the extra period."

Goalkeeper Chris Richens turned in one of his best performances of the season with some great saves on a day Clitheroe will remember for years to come.

"It was best game Richens has played for me," said Burgess.

They went into this afternoon's draw hoping for a home tie -- the final of the competition will be staged at Villa Park.

"We have only had one home draw in the FA Vase this season, and that was in the first round. But the three away from home have all been by the seaside so maybe that's an omen."

The draw was due to be made at 1.45pm today.