After snowy weather forced the original tie to be postponed, Skelmersdale United finally opened the month against Clitheroe with a 4-1 defeat as two former United strikers dented survival hopes. A Harry Blackburn brace and Max Hazeldine strike were accompanied by Harry Pratt's penalty with the lot coming after Alex Griffiths had opened the scoring for United.

Paul McNally welcomed Matthew Coughlan back from injury while Jordan Tyrer made his debut for the club while ex-United trio Harry Blackburn, Max Hazeldine and Jason Jeffries all started for Clitheroe.. A great start for United saw the opening goal on 12 minutes, Paul Cliff cutting inside before squaring for Alex Griffiths who fired past Cameron Terry for 1-0.

However, United's joy was to last just six minutes as Clitheroe drew level, Max Hazeldine crossing for strike partner Harry Blackburn who flicked the ball past Ryan Kirkman for 1-1. The turnaround for the visitors was controversially completed in the 29th minute, Harry Pratt going down under no challenge from Jordan Tyrer and the referee pointing to the penalty spot, Pratt tucked the spot kick away for 2-1.

United pushed for a leveller and went close as clever play allowed Griffiths to pick out Sean Yeldrem who forced a strong save from Terry. Clitheroe had calls for a second penalty waved away on 37 minutes as Blackburn advanced on goal and looked to have been felled by Kirkman, the referee signalling play on. The final chance of the first half saw Connor Belger drawing a superb save from Terry from a curling free-kick.

The second half began with Clitheroe going close to extending their lead, Pratt hitting wide of the goal before Jason Jeffries looked to have scored but had his effort chalked off for offside while Kirkman collided with both player and post in trying to save the shot.

After treatment, he resumed between the sticks but was helpless to prevent Clutheroe from opening up a 3-1 lead, Hazeldine collecting Pratt's pass to advance on goal and fire past Kirkman high into the net. United's hopes of a staging a comeback were dented on 74 minutes as defender John Keatley was dismissed after apparently being booked for a second time for dissent.

Harry Blackburn came close to claiming a brace as he headed from close range but was denied by a superb diving save by Boden who denied him thrice more in the final minute with Blackburn tapping in at the fourth attempt for 4-1.

SKELMERSDALE UNITED: Kirkman (Boden, 54), Brislen, Coughlan (Douglas, 53), M.Molyneux, Keatley, Tyrer, Griffiths (Keegan, 70), T.Molyneux,(c), Cliff, Belger, Yeldrem Subs (not used) Donnelly, O’Hara
CLITHEROE: Terry, Jacob Gregory (c), Fitton, Wilson, Snowdon, Jeffries, Blackburn, Gregory Joshua (Botell, 85), Pratt (Sloane 87), Hazeldine (Recizac 59), Tanner

Ref- S.Morland
Att 102