ATHERTON Collieries travelled away to top of the North West Counties League, Mossley, in the prestigious Challenge Cup, and after a tense, exciting affair lost 4-3 to a controversial late winner.

The home side had won their previous eight league games and were clear favourites to progress to the next round, but Colls shocked them by taking the lead on 12 minutes through Mario Sergio-Daniel. Mark Phillips headed an equaliser and two minutes later Leon Mike gave the home side an interval lead. Within a couple of minutes of the restart the same player added another

and Colls had a mountain to climb. Undaunted Martyn Stewart pulled a goal back and on 75 minutes Andy Bridge made it 3-3.

With the match seemingly destined for a replay, unbelievably Mossley got the winner from a blatant offside position which infuriated Colls officials.