A DISAPPOINTING display by Lancaster on Good Friday virtually ended the club's fading play-off hopes.

Clitheroe striker Anthony Johnson hit a glorious 14th- minute winner to send City crashing to their fourth defeat in six games.

City created few clear-cut chances throughout and rarely looked like scoring. In-form Clitheroe, who secured their fourth successive win, won physical battles all over the pitch and looked more comfortable while playing against the wind.

Centre-back Guy Heffernan, who is still recovering from a knee injury, was replaced by Scott Greenwood. Left-back Craig Redhead returned in place of the injured Tom Entwisle, while Jimmy Love and Mark Jackson made way for Mike Rushton and Dave Swarbrick.

Clitheroe emerged as the livelier side and dominated possession in the opening exchanges.

On eight minutes, home goalkeeper Mark Thornley fisted away a cross from left-back Scott Redhead, the brother of City defender Craig, before visiting midfielder Craig Sargeson headed wide moments later.

City responded well and skipper Michael Stringfellow and winger Neil Marshall saw efforts blocked.

However, the home side missed their best chance of the match on 12 minutes. Striker Swarbrick raced in from the left and saw a venomous strike brilliantly saved by visiting goalkeeper James Mann.

The visitors continued to look the more dangerous going forward and took the lead two minutes later.

Following a promising attack, the ball fell to striker Johnson who rifled a left-footed shot into the top corner from just outside the box.

Clitheroe grew in confidence and came close to increasing their lead through Ryan Fisher five minutes later.

Although City created limited openings, the lively Swarbrick caused problems for the visiting defence. He took up a superb position on 24 minutes but his powerful strike flashed wide.

The forward also struck a tame effort wide moments later when visiting goalkeeper Mann presented the ball straight to him.

Midfielder Neil Uberschar, Swarbrick and winger Rushton missed half-chances in the early stages of the second half.

But despite the best efforts of captain Stringfellow in central midfield, the visitors took control by retaining possession and defending stoutly.

City came closest to snatching an equaliser on 84 minutes when substitute Heffernan saw a close-range shot deflected straight into the gloves of visiting shot-stopper Mann.

Lancaster City:Thornley, Rigby, Redhead (Heffernan 75), Greenwood, Swan, Stringfellow, Rushton (Helliwell 61), Uberschar, Foster (Jackson 67), Swarbrick, Marshall.

Referee: Darren Handley

Attendance: 328.

* LANCASTER City boss Barrie Stimpson has released for Morecambe player Ryan-Zico Black.

Stimpson said: "It's the hardest decision I've ever made as a manager."