ATHERTON Collieries had a mixed festive period.

The Boxing Day ‘flatcap derby’ at Atherton Laburnum Rovers was lost 3-1.

LR took the lead in the second minute when keeper Matt Ince was adjudged to have impeded an LR attacker.

Mark Ayres scored the resultant penalty.

Mark Truffas equalised with a long-range attempt on the stroke of half time.

Colls had chances to take the lead after the break but the inability to convert cost them and Jordan Cover scored a brace to give the hosts victory.

That was Colls’ third consecutive league defeat, which has seen them slip from top spot.

On Monday, December 30, Bacup and Rossendale Borough visited Alder House in the North West Counties Football League Challenge Cup second round.

It was Steve Pilling’s men’s best display of the season so far.

Goals from Josh Peet (two), Paul Atherton (two), Jake Patton and Daryl Patton (penalty) saw Colls blow away their opponents from the top flight.

It was a confidence booster for the second half of the campaign, which starts at home to Oldham Boro on Saturday, kick off 3pm.