ATHERTON LR, with six first team regulars still missing, had new signing Danny Mills to thank for an 80th minute winner.

They took the lead on eight minutes when forward Simon Burton struck with a header from a corner. Haslingden scored the equaliser on 78 minutes through Lloyd Green but within two minutes Mills struck with a right foot to seal a confidence boosting 2-1 victory.

Steve Dixon picked up the MoM award but goalkeeper Phil Priestly ran him close after a stunning save.

LR manager Gerry Luczka was full of praise for former Daisy Hill player Mills.

"We are missing half a team at the moment so it wasn't easy for Danny coming in," he said. "He really did have an excellent debut and the goal was the icing on the cake."

ATHERTON COLLS' 4-1 victory at North West Counties Division One bottom club Holker Old Boys was put into perspective by manager Dennis Haslam.

"It was a good win for us," he said. "But they are not a good side."

Dave Berry returned from suspension to set up the first for Ian Curwen and Martin Littlewood curled in a superb free kick for a 2-0 half-time lead.

Defender Dave Stead dropped to his knees to head in a third before Littlewood scored from the spot.

Haslam has served seven days notice of approach on LR midfielder Mark Brady and Daisy Hill defender Gary Cowburn. LEIGH ATHLETIC, playing well below par, can have no grumbles with their 2-2 draw at Burnley Belvedere.

Efforts from Neil Sumner and Richard Wilson came to nought, but Wilson struck after Belvedere had gone ahead.

The home side edged ahead again, Rob Lysons levelling with a fine header.

Steve Hilton was sound between the posts, but manager Ted Roberts has much to think about.

On Saturday (2.30pm) Premiership runners-up Walshaw are at Charles Street.

TYLDESLEY UNITED recovered well from the shock of going a goal down to thump Aspull Our Lady's 7-1.

David Deavall levelled it, then added two more for a glorious hat-trick. Andy McNair added a fourth before the break.

A double from Carl Boydell, two of the best goals scored by Tyldesley this season, plus one from Alan Rigby clinched it.

Nathan Ready was named MoM.

United Reserves also hit seven: 7-3 against Griffin with goals from MoM Barry Lowe 4 (in only his second match for the club) and a Simon Austerberry treble.

HINDSFORD UNITED beat derby rivals Atherton C & N 4-2 thanks to strikes by Mark Crowther, Chris Jolley, Danny Tooth and Neil Sloan. Atherton, who never gave up, replied via Dave Charleson and Steve Harris.

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