ATHERTON Collieries booked their place in the next round of the FA Cup after a 2-0 victory against Bootle at the Delta Taxi's Stadium.

The Emirates FA Cup Extra Preliminary round tie saw two North West Counties Premier Division sides battling it out in a close game, they were not wrong.

The hosts started the match on the front foot and carved out numerous chances but fortunately their finishing was on the whole negligent.

They did have a couple of fine efforts but Danny Taberner between the sticks was in inspired form.

When Colls did have possession it was soon lost and the defence were pressured again.

Then midway through the half Colls somehow took the lead.

Gareth Peet evaded his marker Vita Mbolokele and his low cross was prodded in Krissy Holt who had arrived late in the box.

Michael Clegg's team talk galvanised the men in yellow shirts at the break.

Skipper Matty Grimshaw and his centre half partner Mark Ayres became unpassable and the midfield lads began winning their battles.

Ben Hardcastle doubled the lead with 15 minutes remaining as he was played through and he caressed the ball past the oncoming Bootle keeper David Moran and into the net via a deflection off the far post. The victory helped set up a visit to Evo-Stik Division One North side Brighouse Town in the next round.

Earlier in the week, the Alder Street men let a two-goal lead slip as they lost 4-2 against Padiham.

Young striker James Kirby got his first competitive goal for the black n white stripes within a minute of the start when he tapped in from a yard out at the far post.

Mark Truffas increased the lead with a fine strike from the edge of the box which totally beat the Padiham keeper Sean Davis.

Colls were dominating proceedings against a team who had just been relegated from the Evo-Stik Division One North league.

Colls then missed a few clear cut chances and the visitors began to get a foothold in the game.

On 36 minutes Andrew Hill scored a worldie from about 25 yards then further goals by Chappy Massamba, Alex Ralph and Alex Murphy saw Colls suffer their first home league defeat since March 2013.