COLNE extended their unbeaten run to five games with a Challenge Cup victory over Holker Old Boys, earning them a home draw in the next round against North West Counties League First Division rivals Alsager Town.

The visitors were the first to produce a goal chance with Ross Baxter making a fine save. Colne gradually took control and David Gray was only inches away with a header from James Webster's corner.

The breakthrough came on 15 minutes when Gray and Lee Barrett had shots blocked only for Steve Cunningham to follow up with a low shot to open the scoring.

Gray was again close with a header from a Webster free kick before he finally got his reward on 32 minutes Kieran Roberts headed a Cunningham corner back across goal for Gray to head home and extend the Reds lead at half-time.

The home side came out for the second half again taking the game to Holker, creating chance after chance, and with time edging away looked in no danger until, with 20 minutes left, Roberts was harshly penalised when the referee gave the visitors a penalty which was converted, despite Baxter getting a hand to the ball.

The Reds stepped up a gear and the visitors came under intense pressure with regular front men Ian Simpson and Carl Haworth entering the fray.

Both had good chances when first Webster played in Simpson and then the same player produced a low cross that Haworth was only inches away from converting at the far post.

Colne wrapped it up with a third two minutes from time. Simpson's quick free kick released Paul Walker, who smashed the ball inside the keeper's near post.

The visitors scored a second virtually on the whistle but Colne ran out worthy winners despite having several first team regulars missing.