ATHERTON LR 1 SKELMERSDALE 0: PHIL Howard's superbly-taken first-half goal gave Atherton LR a deserved victory over NW Counties First Division high-flyers Skelmersdale.

The former Blackburn Rovers trainee struck the winner in the 22nd minute, racing on to Paul Crompton's through pass and rounding the keeper Robbie Holcroft to score.

Holcroft had earlier made a magnificent save to keep out a Crompton free kick in a first half which LR dominated. The second half was even but LR needed two goalline clearances to deny Skem a stoppage time equaliser.