Clayton posted two early tries to put Illing-worth on the rack in the Pennine League Premier Division's bottom-of-the-table clash at Lidget Green.

The hosts put first use of the slope to effect straight from the kick-off when two punishing drives from prop John Parkinson set up the chance for loose forward Craig Pickthall to twist out of a tackle and plant the ball over the whitewash.

Pickthall was again to the fore when he skittled the visitors' defence aside and off- loaded to wingman Danny Caston, who sprinted over with ease.

With the home pack clearly enjoying the upper hand, a long bounced pass from scrum half Danny Belcher found wingman Jason Brooksbank in acres of space to stroll over for a simple try in the corner, and Belcher slotted the difficult touchline conversion.

Full back Damian Hunter then joined the line to good effect, only to be bundled into touch in the act of touching down out wide, and only a desperate kick from prop Ryan Jepson denied him once again with the try-line beckoning two minutes later.

Lively young hooker Lewis Judson showed his tremendous promise by burrowing over from acting half-back, and Hunter was rewarded for his persistent support play when he collected an overhead pass from centre Eddie Harney, again converted by Belcher, to put his side into the sheds 24-0 up.

The second stanza opened in controversy when Illingworth centre Danny Williams suffered a head-high challenge in the process of touching down.

The referee awarded a try and, after speaking to second-row forward Chris Parkinson, he awarded a further penalty kick under the posts after the touchline effort sailed wide.

The Villagers responded immediately to restore the margin when John Parkinson broke through and nearly collided with a post as he touched down, leaving Belcher to slot over the easy two.

Clayton lost Chris Parkinson to the blood- bin when he was the target of what appeared to be summary retribution but Brooksbank put the visitors completely out of the contest with a long-range weaving run to take the final return pass and power in at the corner.

Illingworth's Jack Bradbury took advantage of tired legs for a late consolation but it was Clayton's day following a commanding performance that puts them a point away from safety with games in hand.