CLITHEROE suffered defeat at the hands of Newcastle Blue Star despite carving out a number of chances.

Craig Sargeson was played in very early by Joel Byrom but the keeper saved as the ball was drilled low across him.

Peter Collinge made a superb reaction save to a ball that went right across the goalmouth and was prodded goalwards at the back post.

Newcastle got the all important breakthrough in the 20th minute when the ball was played back from a narrow angle and then driven home from the edge of the penalty box.

The hosts doubled their lead in the 33rd minute with a shot past Peter Collinge.

Clitheroe finished the half strongly and Will Exton was denied by another fine save as he was put through on a one-on-one.

Peter Collinge was taken to hospital with a hip injury and was replaced in goal by Russ Clarke.

Newcastle didn't test him as much as they could have done and the Blues created another great early chance when a superb Gary Stopforth pass released Joel Byrom and he became the third player to be thwarted by a fine one-on-one save from the Newcastle keeper.

The Blues did pull a goal back on 55 minutes when Sargeson was played in down the left and his great cross evaded the Blue Star centre back and was headed home by Gary Jackson.

Newcastle scored a third goal in the 60th minute to kill the game off.