POLICE were called to Atherton LR's Crilly Park ground on Saturday to quieten down a bunch of unruly and drunken away supporters.

The troublemakers have already been disowned by Workington following a similar occurrence early in the season. They arrived in Atherton separate to the main party.

LR officials were forced to act quickly and police arrived to escort the group off the ground and back on their way home.

"It was a real shame," said LR manager Steve Cunningham. "The game was good and never dirty but these few left a bad taste. There was only eight or ten of them and the police sorted it out."

On the field there was no joy for LR as they slipped to a 2-1 defeat.

The Cumbrians went ahead when the entire LR defence stopped for an offside which wasn't given.

Around the hour-mark defender-turned-striker Dave Chadwick scored a beauty to equalise only for Workington to take all three points with another fortunate finish.

Full-back Tony Smith had an outstanding game.

ATHERTON COLLS eased relegation worries with a hard-earned 1-1 draw at fellow strugglers Nantwich. "It was a real scrap for vital points," admitted manager Alan Lord.

"We had two players injured early on and they caught us out in the confusion as we tried to re-organise. In the second half we played well, scored a great goal, and I was pleased the lads showed the sort of character I want."

The equalising goal came from a through-ball by Paul Griffin, giving Colin Lomas the opportunity to score. MoM was central defender Paul Cox.

Gary Andrews had a game he will want to forget. He came on as sub when Mark Fitton went over on his ankle, then was in a collision with teammate Luke Hardman and was carried off and taken to hospital for X-rays.

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