It left Widnes questioning just how they hadn’t won the tie particularly after twice being denied by the woodwork and a goalline clearance in the second half.

Michael Ellison’s side had at least earned the right to chance their arm at penalties but it wasn’t to be in this all-Northern Premier League West clash.

The boss made five changes to the side beaten at Emley in a midweek Emirates FA Cup replay.

With a keen eye on managing slight injuries and two big upcoming home games in the league, Ellison handed debuts to goalkeeper Joe Mason and defender Jack Walls while Louis Isherwood, Jack McGowan and MJ Monaghan earned recalls.

Cameron Terry missed out through injury with Jay Roberts dropping to the bench.

Elsewhere, Matt Van Wyk, James Steele and Laurence Smith were all only fit enough for places amongst the substitutes.

If the first half was a boxing match, Clitheroe would have taken it on points.

The Blues controlled proceedings while never really hurting the hosts and certainly not working goalkeeper Mason as much as they’d have liked.

But it was always going to be difficult for both teams on a baking hot September afternoon.

Clitheroe manager Dave Dempsey would have been all too familiar with the tests the artificial surface at the DCBL Stadium can pose when it’s dry and sticky having previously been in the home dugout in charge of Widnes for 12 months.

And his side, to their credit, moved the ball well in the opening 45 minutes.

Ex-Widnes forward John McGrath was lively in the early exchanges but the best he could muster was a shot on goal that was easily claimed by keeper Mason.

These two sides faced off just 12 days earlier in league action with Widnes running out 1-0 winners at Shawbridge.

There was clearly a lot of familiarity amongst both sets of players with neither team able to unlock the door offensively.

Walls had a volley beaten away by Clitheroe keeper Danny Taberner while Owen Devonport directed a tame header into the grateful gloves of Mason.

Widnes suffered a blow 10 minutes before half-time when Isherwood pulled up with a groin problem and had to be replaced by Roberts.

And they could count themselves fortunate to go in at the break level when Billy Priestley could only head over from a cross that left keeper Mason stranded.

The Whites were much the better side in the second half.

Ellison’s team probed and probed but couldn’t quite muster a breakthrough as they came up against Taberner in inspired form and the frame of the goal.

Matty Rain had a free-kick crash back against the crossbar and away to safety via the unsuspecting head of Taberner.

Will Bell then rattled the post moments later from the edge of the D that may well have been tipped on to the woodwork by the fingertips of the Clitheroe goalkeeper.

Widnes threatened again when substitute Roberts curled a long-range effort inches wide of the upright while Jack McGowan had a free header cleared off the line by Jacob Hanson.

McGowan would also shoot into the side netting while Walls again forced Taberner into a good save with an effort from distance.
But just as it seemed the tie was heading for the lottery of penalty kicks, Clitheroe struck the killer blow.

Gonzales, on as a substitute, peeled away from his marker to meet an Alex Henderson cross and direct a header beyond Mason to send his team into the next round.

Widnes briefly threatened a late equaliser but Walls arrived just a second too late which meant he couldn’t quite get on the end of Sean Miller’s delicious cross.