Neil Reynolds had said prior to the game that he felt there was no reason the Blues couldn't be successful in this season's competition.

And he even talked of emulating Harrogate Railway's exploits from last season, with their UniBond First Division colleagues reaching the second round proper.

And they received the perfect start to that dream here, thanks to a striker who has seemingly found his spiritual home at Shawbridge.

Lomax will be the first to admit that he has played for many clubs in his career, but he seems to have settled in East Lancashire.

So much so that Reynolds has handed him the captain's armband, and he repaid his manager at the World Group Stadium with his third and fourth goals of the campaign.

And the win earned them a first qualifying round meeting with Leek Town on Saturday week, September 13th, at Shawbridge.

The early stages of this encounter saw Clitheroe completely in control, spurning numerous chances to take the lead.

Jonathan Smith, Anthony Johnson and Ryan Fisher all saw close-range headers thwarted, before Penrith started to claw their way back into proceedings.

The home side came into the game confident after opening their Northern League campaign with three successive wins.

And they grabbed the lead when a ball clipped into the left channel by-passed Scott Redhead, and the striker nipped in to slot past James Mann.

However,Clitheroe were soon level when Lomax rose highest to head home Craig Sargeson's corner.

The Blues went on to dominate the second period, despite Mann pulling off a quite outstanding save at the beginning of the half.

Ian Flannery grabbed his second of the season when heading in another Sargeson flag kick.

And the win was secured with a glorious third from Lomax, as he shrugged off a defender before bending a delightful shot into the top corner.