CARL Garner praised the mental toughness of his side as they stretched their unbeaten record to five games since he took control last month.

The Blues picked up their third win of the week with another impressive all-round display to dispatch Witton Albion.

Garner’s only disappointment was the goal his side conceded given that the Blues have shut up shop at the back since he swapped the chairman’s role for that of the manager’s at Shawbridge.

“Mentally we are a lot tougher and we’ve talked about keeping it tight at the back,” said Garner.

“We’ve gone from one of the worse defences in the league to one of the best. That’s why I am disappointed we gave away the goal.”

Nathan Taylor set Clitheroe on their way to victory with an eighth minute strike with Ashley Parillon doubling the lead just two minutes later.

Matt Wood pulled one back for Witton on the half hour mark but Taylor’s second in the 65th minute seal victory.

Garner added: “The lads are playing with a lot of energy and enthusiasm and I can’t fault them at all.”