MISSED chances and motorway roadworks cost Atherton LR dear at Maine Road where they lost 1-0.

Three LR players - Danny Mills, Colin Entwistle and Steve Dixon - were caught in a traffic jam and failed to make it to the ground in time for the kick-off.

Manager Gerry Luczka was forced into last-minute changes, including in his starting line-up and making his senior debut, 16-year-old centre back Liam Carr.

And in a game that saw a dozen gilt-edged chances created and squandered by Atherton, including a first-half penalty miss by Peter McRae, the young Crilly Park prodigy shone head and shoulders above the rest.

His boss was highly delighted. "It is little wonder we have had a host of Football League club scouts flocking to watch our reserve matches," he said.

"This lad is a tremendous prospect. He was thrown in at the deep end and responded magnificently with a sterling performance. The game was three points thrown for us because we didn't have the necessary cutting edge."

Meanwhile, LR star David Hamilton has been appointed assistant manager to former Wales international winger Leighton James at Accrington Stanley.

LR have been paired with Arnott Insurance Northern League high-flyers Dunston Federation Brewery in the second round of the Carlsberg FA Vase on November 22. Four days earlier they travel to Blackpool Rovers in the ATS Cup.

ATHERTON COLLS continue to suffer from their home hoodoo.

The last four away league games have seen them register victories over Chadderton, Warrington Town, Holker Old Boys and Atherton LR, picking up 12 points.

But strangely only three league points have been secured at Alder House all season.

Saturday's 0-0 home draw with Mossley must, therefore, go down as a good result.

The visitors have a good footballing side and Colls had to play the last 20 minutes with 10 men after full-back Paul Whittle was sent off for two bookable offences.

Meanwhile Atherton LR have served seven days notice of approach on midfielder Martin Littlewood.

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