ATHERTON COLLS slumped to a 3-2 win against St Helens Town - their second successive home defeat.

Now only derby rivals Atherton LR prevent them dropping to the bottom of the NorthWest Trains Division One.

Colls missed a string of chances and were made to pay dearly.

But management duo Alan Lord and Chris O'Brien are still hopeful of an upturn in fortunes, particularly with Darren Maloney and Jason Holroyd set for a return after injury.

"Defensively we didn't wake up until half-past three," ranted upset manager Lord. "By that time we were a goal down and it was to cost us.

"It was a real shame because we played some really good stuff and Liam Boden put in a performance in midfield which was just absolutely fantastic."

The visitors were 2-1 at the break, Boden keeping Colls interested with a 20-yard strike.

Within minutes of the restart, however, Town had another goal in the bag. "It was game over," added Lord.

Paul Cox grabbed one back, but those lost opportunities proved decisive as Saints hung on.

The Reserves entertain Curzon Athletic on Saturday (3pm). Free admission.

ATHERTON LR's resurgence continued with another vital point in a 3-3 draw at big-spending Prescot Cables.

Down by two, they fought back superbly in a totally enthralling encounter.

They hit back on 53 minutes when Jimmy Flood hit a wonder goal from 25 yards at the end of a stunning six-man move.

Two minutes later it was 2-2 as Paul Meredith found himself free in the area.

Back came Cables, but on 73 minutes MoM Flood grabbed his second when he chipped the keeper.

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