Thursday's First Division North action review

The Linnets simply blew Clitheroe away in the opening 35 minutes.

Nick Ryan set the ball rolling with the opening goal inside the first minute. Three minutes later and Paul Williams added a second.

Michael Monaghan then bagged a brace on 11 and 22 minutes, with Elliott Newby making it a nap hand with only 25 minutes gone on the clock! Monaghan completed his hat-trick 10 minutes later as Burscough went into the break 6-0 up!

As often happens when one team has a commanding advantage, the second half was a much quieter affair, and indeed Clitheroe `won` it with a 55th minute Sefton Gonzales effort, but the damage had already been done.

Burscough are now fourth, two points in front of sixth-placed Northwich Victoria, but it will be interesting to see what this result will do for Clitheroe`s confidence going into their final six games.

Third-bottom Ossett Town gained a valuable point in their Ingfield clash with Bamber Bridge.

Brig led through Jamie Milligan`s 26th minute penalty but Town levelled five minutes from time with a penalty of their own, converted by David Brown, to leave them five points above neighbours Harrogate Railway Athletic with two games still in hand.

Follow us: @evostikleague on Twitter | Facebook www.facebook.com/evostikleague | The NPL Facebook Group www.facebook.com/groups/TheNPL/