ATHERTON LR 3 COLNE 0

COLNE are now staring re-election right between the eyes.

Last night's latest defeat sees them stuck one foot off the bottom of the North West Counties League Second Division and it was little consolation that rock-bottom Oldham also lost.

Colne's intention of keeping it tight in the early stages in the hope of snatching a much-needed result went out of the window in the eighth minute when Atherton took the lead through Mark Jones.

Credit to the visitors for a spirited response, but an equaliser never came and 10 minutes into the second half Tom Purcell put the game beyond reach.

Nine minutes later Colne were reeling for a third time as Barry Massay took advantage of an opportunity to slip in the final goal of the night.