COLNE’S run of fine form continued when they beat high-flying Congleton despite finis-hing the game with just nine men.

Danny Boyle’s brilliant finish in the 27th minute was good enough as Nigel Coates’ side climbed up to joint second in Vodkat League Premier Division.

Colne looked confident from the start and had the majority of the possession - with Sam Hayes and James Crorken both going close.

The Reds continued to dominate with their quick passing and good movement off the ball and were only let down by the final ball into the danger areas.

But on the half hour mark they took a well deserved lead when Ted Cockett released Boyle into the area and, after being disposs-essed, he won the ball back and chipped the stranded Matt Conkie in Congelton with a brilliant finish in to the top corner.

A few minutes later Hayes picked out Boyle but this time his shot was turned round the post by Conkie. Joe Garvin then tested Conkie from long range but nobody was at hand when the keeper spilled the ball in front of the goal.

Under intense pressure, Congleton began to loose discipline - resulting in the referee issuing three yellow cards which was a sign of things to come in an eventful second half.

Just minutes into the second half the match official brandished a straight red card to Congle-ton’s Matt Haddrell. From the restart Mark Threlfall broke clear and pulled the ball back to Michael Cruz who blasted just wide. Threlfall had the ball in the back of the net soon after but play was brought back for an earlier infringe-ment.

Slowly Congleton began to claw their way back into the game and Colne had keeper Jamie Scott to thank for keeping them ahead by deflecting two attempts on to the woodwork.

With 10 minutes remaining Cockett was strangely shown a straight red card for what appeared to be a good challenge and in the dying minutes Garvin also saw red after raising an arm in retaliation for a stamping incident.

Tomorrow night, Colne host Lancaster City at the XLCR Stadium in the Lancashire Challenge Trophy.

Fixtures - Tomorrow: Lancashire Challenge Trophy, round one: AFC Darwen v Chorley, Colne v Lancaster City, Ramsbottom Utd v Holker Old Boys, Squires Gate v Rossendale Utd.

Wednesday: Bacup Borough v AFC Fylde, Padiham v Wigan Robin Park.