CLITHEROE’S bid for county glory ended on Wednesday night as Radcliffe Borough came from behind to win their semi-final clash 2-1.

Simon Haworth’s side had led through Kurt Willoughby’s opener eight minutes before the break but two goals in three minutes just before the hour turned the tie in Radcliffe’s favour.

Clitheroe had the better of the early stages and Radcliffe were indebted to keeper Ciaran O’Loughlan for keeping the score blank as he produced a fine double save from Louis Myers and Willoughby inside the box, before tipping away midfielder Bradley Carroll’s close range header in the 24th minute.

The Blues continued to press and took the lead when Willoughby scored with a sweet scissor kick from the edge of the area.

Radcliffe had failed to really test Clitheroe stopper Christopher Thompson in the first half but that changed after the break.

Jack Hindle pulled Borough level with a deflected shot from the edge of the area in the 57th minute and it wasn’t long before Radcliffe were in front as winger Elliot Rokka cut in from the right to whip in a brilliant curling ball which Lewis Reilly slotted home.

Haworth’s men poured forward in search of a leveller but Radcliffe came closest to adding to the scoreline when Lamin Baldeh hit the post from 20 yards.

Clitheroe applied some late pressure and saw a header cleared off the line but it was Radcliffe who booked their place in the Macron Stadium final against Ashton Athletic on Tuesday, April 4.

Clitheroe are without a game this weekend.

Meanwhile, Ramsbottom United can make up ground in the race for the Evo-Stik League Division One North play-off race if they can take three points at high-flying Trafford tomorrow.

Mark Fell’s side begin the day in 10th, seven points off Colne in the final play-off place. But with Steve Cunningham’s side not in action and ninth placed Clitheroe also without a game, the Rams could close the gap.

But it will be a tough ask against a Trafford side who sit third and have lost just once in their last six games.