Boro grab spirited Clitheroe victory

The haunting memories of a previous defeat by the visitors were laid to rest as Boro continued their march.

And a fourth successive victory more than cheered the swelling home support.

Boro rang a few changes for the game against their high-flying rivals, Jameel Ible returning at right-back, while Chris Bolder stepped into the middle of the park in place of his brother Adam.

Not a lot happened in the opening stages of the game, what did take place was focused in Boro's half of the field.

The hosts survived a handful of early scares, though nothing too flash.

For Clitheroe, Alex Newby and Stavros Tserpes caused the odd problem, but Boro's defence and the industry of Chris Bolder soon shut the door.

At the other end, Boro created a few half-chances, many of the openings were created through the quick feet of Cameron Murray, who was handed a free role in the midfield.

It looked as though it would be one of those days as the players trudged off at the break, the fans preparing themselves for a dour goalless draw.

That was until the second period exploded out of the blocks.

Boro won a corner out on the right, Matty Turnbull rose superbly and powered a header into the back of the net.

Clitheroe tried to bounce straight back, forcing a scramble in the box and then Newby floated a free-kick just over Jordan Porter's bar.

Things began to heat up after this with a flurry of yellow cards coming from the referee's pocket.

Then, as the game progressed further, tired legs led to a stretching in the play and this created chances at both ends.

Carl Stewart had two great openings, scuffing his first and then crashing his second into the side-netting.

Clitheroe were also left cursing Boro keeper Jordan Porter, who charged from his line on a couple of occasions to deny the visitors.

Murray could have wrapped things up with five minutes left on the clock, but his clever chip hit the top of the bar.

Then sub Callum Robinson whipped a lovely ball into the path of Benny Igiehon, but the big striker failed to get anything on it.

Boro dug in during the final moments as Clitheroe went in hunt of the leveller. They did this comfortably in the end to maintain their very impressive run.