WITTON Albion’s sequence without a win extended to five matches after they lost to a second play-offs hopeful in as many matches on Tuesday night.

It leaves Carl Macauley’s men five points adrift of a position in the table’s top-half.

They lost by the same score at home to Burscough on Saturday.

The visitors fell behind after quarter of an hour when David Lynch curled into the corner after front man Louis Mayers had diverted Scott Harries’ right-wing cross into his path.

And Albion’s hopes were hit when influential midfielder Tom Schofield left the field with an injury following a forceful tackle from Clitheroe player-manager Simon Garner.

They did though create an opportunity to equalise before the break, only for Carl Peers to miss the target after reaching substitute Tom Owens’ pass.

Teenage goalkeeper Dominic Garner, recalled to the starting line-up following the end of Owen Evans’ loan spell, was called into action to deny Mayers in the second half.

Tom Woodhead, his opposite number, reacted smartly to stop Danny Andrews’ free kick after it had taken a deflection off the wall.

However the in-form Blues, victors in six of their previous seven matches, looked more likely scorers.

And they made safe maximum points with eight minutes left when substitute Michael Hampson converted from close range with his head following fine approach play from first-half scorer Lynch.

Witton attempt to return to winning ways this Saturday, when Scarborough Athletic visit Wincham Park.

Clitheroe | Woodhead (GK), Haywood, Walker, Benjamin, Chris Lynch, Garner, Harries (Willoughby 90), David Lynch, Gonzales, Mayers, Barski (Hampson 58) Subs not used Bonaminio, Dent Goals David Lynch 14, Hampson 83 Booked Garner

Witton | Garner (GK), Gardner, Parker (Dawson 58), Wilson, Mullarkey, Peers, Newton (Noone 69), Schofield (Owens 26), Hopley, Mason, Andrews Sub not used Chrisokhou

Attendance 191