KENDAL Town picked up a point in a tough afternoon at Clitheroe on Saturday having spent much of the opening period under severe pressure from the hosts.

The Mintcakes had the best opportunity to snatch the win but Sam Bailey was unable to convert a penalty, while Clitheroe had a man sent off shortly before full time.

Clitheroe had much the better of the opening exchanges and could have been ahead after 13 minutes. Brad Carroll had a pass and go down the right wing before he hared into the middle only for him then to bundle his volley over. On 17 minutes, Gareth Roberts received the ball down the left from Chris Thompson, and his early ball to Dimitri Tuanzebe down the line saw him advance on goal and slam the ball on to the bar. Three minutes later, Charlie Russell had a superb left foot strike from nothing, and it demanded a fine save from Will Kitchen in the Kendal goal.

Five minutes later, Danny Brady rose highest from a corner and headed the ball on to the bar, before Ryan Ellison's follow up shot was desperately blocked by the Mintcakes.

With half an hour played, Clitheroe's Alex Newby tried to control a ball on his chest in the box after he had found a yard of space, but the ball bounced unkindly too far ahead and Kurt Willoughby also had a shot well saved by Kitchen after superb interplay.

Having survived an onslaught through the majority of the first half, Kendal were then awarded a surprise penalty. A free kick was sent into the Clitheroe box and the referee spotted a foul and had no hesitation in pointing to the spot.

Sam Bailey stepped forward from 12 yards but was unable to beat former Mintcakes keeper Thompson who ensured it remained goalless at the break.

In the second half Kendal were much more equal to Clitheroe and began to command possession, albeit without creating the golden opportunity to break the deadlock.

Substitutes George West and Mitch Bryant had solid chances for Clitheroe but still neither side could open the scoring.

The lacklustre half was capped when on 90 minutes when Clitheroe's Bryant was sent off for a rash challenge on Kendal skipper Stuart McDonald but both sides left with a point.