Atherton Colls 1 Squires Gate 1, Atherton Colls 1 Witton Albion 3.

MICHAEL Clegg's boys endured a frustrating week with a draw and a defeat.

Squires Gate visited The Kensite Stadium in a Hallmark Security Premier Division. Both teams knew a win would see them top the table if only for 24 hours. Colls started the stronger and somehow Mark Battersby hit the post from a yard out after he had craftily picked the pocket of the Gate custodian.

Colls then missed a few chances before Battersby made amends with a delicate chip.

This gave a 1-0 half time lead.

Gate were also in good form and had their share of possession and chances after the break, they got their reward with virtually the last kick of the game.

Colls were seeing time out in the bottom right hand corner of the ground but the ball was stolen and moved quickly up the slope.

The outcome was a one on one for a Gate attacker who scored off the near post.

Disappointing but credit to the visitors for staying in the game.

On Saturday Evostik South side Witton Albion visited for an Emirates FA Cup Preliminary clash and within 20 minutes it was all over bar the shouting.

Albion came out like an express train and caught a sleepy Colls side napping.

After 16 minutes they led 3-0 and the partisan home crowd were as shell-shocked as their favourites on the paddock.

Colls did regroup and had goal chalked off for offside.

It went in off the head of an Albion player but the assistant referee controversially had his flag raised.

Jamie Forbes pulled a goal back within minutes of the restart with a close range bullet header from a set piece but the deficit was too much to recover from and Albion deservedly marched into the next round

To compound matters for Colls Josh Messer was sent off late on for a second bookable offence.

On Saturday Colls go to Barnton while on Bank Holiday Monday AFC Liverpool visit The Kensite Stadium. Kick Off 3pm.