St Helens Town 1 Clitheroe 2

THIS defeat for Town, only their second of the season, saw them slip to third place in the league with Clitheroe leapfrogging above them into second.

A good win at Mossley in midweek, however, tempered the disappointment which owed a lot to wayward shooting as Town put more efforts over the Knowsley Road crossbar than Sean Long!

Though the first half ended goalless, there was much to admire from both sides. But, as good as Town's approach work was, Clitheroe keeper Richens only had one testing moment when smothering Ashton's header on the half-hour.

Quirk, Ashton, Cooper and Hennigan all failed to hit the target from reasonable shooting chances and Clitheroe used their reprieve to produce some quality football of their own. Skipper Gary Jones twice saved Town when blocking Webster's drive before making a desperate clearance as Clitheroe's Spencer took the ball around keeper Wood.

On 35 minutes, with his side in the ascendancy, Clitheroe left back Stewart unleashed a 30-yard blockbuster which Wood turned around the post at full stretch before dealing superbly with Aspinwall's resultant corner.

Town had a major let-off a minute later when Jones completely missed his clearance but Clitheroe's Cryer also miskicked with the goal gaping.

The half closed with Town's Cooper and Nestor putting efforts high onto the Edington terracing in keeping with what had gone on earlier.

Within a minute of the re-start Town's inspirational schemer Ged Hennigan limped off with Bell replacing him before it became Clitheroe's turn to squander a reasonable chance when Cryer put a tame effort into Wood's hands from eight yards.

Next, Town's Ashton cleared the bar with a good header and a 20-yard drive but Clitheroe's most potent weapon, the dipping corner kicks of Aspinwall, was about to break the deadlock.

It came in the 55th minute when Bell almost registered an own goal in conceding a corner and when it was delivered, Jason Jones fired Clitheroe ahead in a 10-yard scramble.

Town responded at once with Cooper driving over from 16 yards before stretching to head Nestor's corner into the side netting. The loss of Hennigan's guile saw Town repeatedly loft high balls into the area which were meat and drink for Clitheroe's Sculpher and Cowking and as Town chased the game, the inevitable happened.

The pacey breaks of Clitheroe' Spencer had threatened on a couple of occasions but on 85 minutes he got beyond the chasing Dooner who clipped his heel in the box for a penalty award.

Wood initially saved Barry Hart's spot kick but the taker followed up to convert at the second attempt and a good travelling contingent were in celebratory mood.

Town, however, didn't lie down and had the last word when Robbie Cowley stabbed home from 12 yards with keeper Richens not looking too convincing.

On Saturday Town are at Bacup Borough in Worthington League Cup action (kick-off 3pm, coach 12.15pm). And Boxing Day is derby day at Prescot's Valerie Park where Town meet Cables in their highest profile encounter for years (kick-off 3pm).