CLITHEROE'S seven-game unbeaten run came to an abrupt end as they found league leaders Vauxhall in top gear in this FNWTL Challenge Cup clash.

Steve Parry's side showed little of their recent good form as they struggled to find a rhythm against an organised Vauxhall side, a goal in the last minute eventually finishing off Steve Parry's travel-weary side.

It was the hosts who took the lead midway through the first half, a well-placed corner tapped home by Nicky Young who found himself unmarked in the Clitheroe box.

The two sides failed to settle into one specific pace and the remainder of the first half became a topsy-turvy affair, with Vauxhall remaining the more composed side. However, five minutes before half time, the Blues knocked in an equaliser. An intended cross from Lee Sculpher drifted over the head of the Vauxhall keeper and into the unguarded goal to bring the scores level. But Clitheroe failed to take advantage of their good fortune and found themselves defending against some slick attacking moves in the second half.

The table-topping home side were back in front on 70 minutes, Carl Nesbitt nipping in before keeper Chris Richens to nod in Vauxhall's second.

Clitheroe then stepped up a gear but it was not enough as they struggled to contain their opponents, who were determined to make the game safe by adding a third. They finally achieved this on 90 minutes, Young notching his second with a carbon copy of Nesbitt's strike. Richens was beaten to the ball for a second time and Young gleefully headed home Vauxhall's third and final goal of the game.

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