"We were lucky it was only 1-0 at the break and the lads were left in no doubt at half time over how I felt about it. The second half was much better. They responded well so overall I was quite pleased."

Luke Hardman got the point-saver 10 minutes from the end when he chased a ball over the visitors back four and lobbed over the advancing keeper. Anthony Smith at centre back was voted Colls man of the match with keeper Steve Powell and striker Micky Wolstenhome close contenders.

Atherton LR manager Alan Lord is ringing the changes at Crilly Park after seeing his side go out of the Worthington Challenge Trophy in a 7-2 round one home defeat by Division One outfit Mossley.

"Only four players came out of that with any credit - Mark Parry, Mike Morris, Ryan Bailey and Gavin Salmon," he fumes. "I've yet to see a four man team win a match. There is a massive job to be done here but it will be done.

"Three players have been released from the club this week and there will be more if there is no improvement."

Daisy Hill won 3-1 away at Holker Old Boys in a Division Two fixture.

Tomorrow night Radcliffe Boro entertain Morecambe and Ramsbottom United, whose home Worthington Challenge Trophy game on Saturday against Clitheroe was postponed, travel to Squires Gate. Both games are in the LFA Marsden Challenge Trophy Round Two.