COLNE...7

CASTLETON GABRIELS...5

LIKE two prize fighters slugging it out toe to toe Colne edged out bottom of the table Castleton in an amazing 12-goal thriller.

In a sensational match every attack seemed to bring a goal and, until George Craddock popped up with two goals in the final pulsating 10 minutes, it was anybody's guess what the final outcome would be.

"It has to be one of the strangest matches I have ever played in," said boss John Lister. "The defending of both teams was absolutely shambolic and I was just glad we came out of the game with all three points in the end."

"You just had to be there to believe it," exclaimed Colne chairman Dave Blacklock. "I don't suppose the coaches were too happy but for the spectators it was a real treat."

In the first minute with Colne's leading scorer Paul Fildes started the goal rush after a good pass from George Craddock.

Within 10 minutes the visitors had served notice that, despite their lowly league position, they weren't simply going to roll over and they had taken a 2-1 lead, one thanks to a deflection off Lister and the other after Ross Baxter fluffed a clearance.

Chris Ingham then scored a couple in reply for Colne, following up after James Webster had hit the bar, the second from a Lister free kick.

But in the 17th minute Castleton levelled again to make it 3-3.

Colne almost regained the lead but Jamie Webster's effort struck the bar and just before the break Castleton went 4-3 up.

After the interval Callon restored parity following a four man move and then Ingham completed his hat-trick to put John Lister's men in front for the third time at 5-4.

But in a game that had everything Castleton levelled when Gareth West scored a bizarre own goal - a looping header that left Ross Baxter with no chance.

With 10 minutes to go the game could have gone anywhere but Craddock made it Colne's with a fine brace - the first a header from a Fildes cross the second finishing off a Callon cross. The victory continues Colne's fine five game unbeaten run.