ATHERTON Collieries returned to winning ways with a 4-3 victory against Maine Road on Monday night.

Colls took the lead in the 16th minute when a Road defender was adjudged to have handled in the box following a melee.

Ace goalscorer Mark Battersby returning following a three-game suspension put the ball to the keeper's right and into the net.

Mark Truffas increased the lead minutes later when he raced through the defence before finishing from a tight handle.

When Battersby set up James Kirby on a plate to score from a yard out Road looked dead and buried.

However, the visitors showed real determination and Michael Burke gave them a lifeline just before the break with a cool finish.

Battersby grabbed his second of the game with a curling effort from distance in the 65th minute and Colls looked to be heading for a landslide victory.

Maine Road didn't read the script and Matthew Morgan reduced the arrears with 10 minutes remaining.

He added another in injury time, this one was a Marco Van Basten type early goal of a season contender but Colls hung on to win a pulsating game.

It was the perfect response from Michael Clegg's side who lost 3-1 to 1874 Northwich on Saturday.

Mark Truffas was a scorer in the first half for Colls then Northwich grabbed three in the second half to wrap up the win.

Colls travel to Evo-Stik First Division North outfit on Saturday in the Emirates FA Cup Preliminary Round.