IN terms of non-league football, tests do not get much tougher than the one facing Atherton Collieries.

Their superb run to the FA Trophy first round has been rewarded with a visit from current National League leaders Barrow.

The team in pole position for promotion to the Football League next season visit the Skuna Stadium on Saturday, kick off 3pm, in a tie which will have Colls eyeing a big upset.

They go into the tie on good form – Saturday’s win over Hyde United made it back-to-back league victories since the departure of former manager Michael Clegg to Ashton United.

Now under the charge of Brad Cooke, Chris Lynch and Rob Sadler, Colls are on the up.

They played 84 minutes against 10 men on Saturday, with Hyde’s Chris Sharp sent off early following an altercation with Gareth Peet on the edge of the Colls box.

The hosts took control and Danny O’Brien had two good chances – one which cleared the bar before another was saved by Sam French in the Hyde goal.

On the half-hour mark, though, O’Brien did hit the target as he finished off some good approach play to put Colls ahead.

Five minutes after the break, the lead was doubled when skipper Danny Lafferty powered home a header from Vinny Bailey’s corner.

Then, trouble – a teasing Hyde set piece was nodded in by Brad Roscoe and suddenly, there was hope for the 10-man visitors.

Set pieces looked the most likely avenue for a Hyde equaliser, but the Colls defenders were in no mood to surrender maximum points.

At the other end, Tom Bentham was denied by French after scuffing his effort yards from goal but it proved immaterial in the end.