Last night's victory at fifth-placed Eastwood Town lifts Fleetwood Town six points clear at the top and extends their winning run in Blue Square North to nine games.
Manager Micky Mellon opted for two changes from the side that beat Gloucester City on Saturday as Jamie McGuire and Gareth Seddon started in place of Adam Warlow and Jamie Mullan, both moving to the bench.
Ashley Wooliscroft again stood in for the injured Shaun Beeley.
The home side had the first opportunity when Lindon Meikle was put through on goal, but veteran left-back Alan Wright showed a turn of pace to assist keeper Craig Dootson, who had the ball covered.
Clancy launched Town's first assault but his pacy run was cut abruptly short by a combination of an uneven surface and a nudge from Lawrence Gaughan.
Seddon looked threatening on his return up front and it wasn't long before he tested Jan Budtz in the Eastwood goal.
The former Hartlepool keeper raced out to parry Seddon's effort and centre-half Gaughan needed to be on hand to clear the danger.
Wooliscroft and Nathan Pond also had to be alert at the other end, when Wright blocked Danny Holland's shot.
McGuire and Pond then took turns with efforts of their own at the other end, but the home side showed why they had conceded only 14 goals in 13 home games as the first half ended with the scoreline blank.
The visitors the pronounced slope in their favour in the second period and this proved a distinct advantage in the closing stages, when the home side visibly tired and Town pushed relentlessly forward.
Steve McNulty and Michael Taylor again commanded the centre of defence, while at the other end Seddon met Clancy's cross with a glancing header which flashed inches wide of the post.
Ross Gardiner had Eastwood's best chance of the second half but sliced his shot from a promising position.
The winner which Town deserved arrived just as two minutes of additional time were announced.
Clancy embarked on a jinking run outside the area, turned his man and unleashed a shot which took a slight deflection which wrong-footed Butdz.
The goal sparked a Cod Army celebration on and off the pitch as Clancy, who also scored in August's 3-1 home win over Eastwood, was buried under a mountain of red shirts from the crowd of 367.
Town are back on the road on Saturday for a visit to Brian Little's Gainsborough Trinity, and have a chance to stretch their lead further as closest rivals Southport have a blank weekend.
Fleetwood team: Dootson, Wooliscroft, Wright, Taylor (capt), McNulty, Pond, Clancy, Barry, Rogan (Warlow), Seddon, McGuire; subs not used: Mullan, Milligan, Cowan, Wilde
DERICK THOMAS
