ATHERTON COLLS manager Alan Lord saw hope for his team's future in their 2-2 draw with Kidsgrove Athletic.

"I have nothing but the highest praise for the lads," he enthused, as they move towards the end of a long and testing North Western Trains League campaign.

"When I took over a third of the way into the season we were way adrift at the bottom of the table with hardly a proper squad together.

"Gradually we have dug in and steadied the ship and that has brought things around."

Colls went two goals behind as the visitors tore them apart. But Dougie Owen and Paul Griffin proved the inspiration as they battled back. They dominated the late stages to grab a point and leapfrog Bootle at the bottom of the table.

"Now we can take heart from the finish we've had and start building for next season," added Lord.

Griffin, who just edged out Owen for the MoM vote, powered one in from the edge of the area, and Paul Cox hit an equaliser to set up a frantic finish.

LEIGH BOROUGH celebrated their league crown by beating cupwinners BT Rolatruc 4-0 in their final outing of the season. Outstanding play by Wilson resulted in a hat-trick for Lumb with Hampson adding the extras.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.