ATHERTON Collieries rounded off a winning week by snatching a late victory against Holker Old Boys to edge closer to securing the North West Counties First Division title.

Ben Hardcastle opened the scoring for Colls before an early second-half penalty pegged them back to 1-1.

As Colls looked set to miss out on victory for only the third time this season, it was Mark Battersby who continued his blistering form, scoring his 10th and 11th goals in five games in the 89th and 90th minute to send Colls five points clear of Cammell Laird.

Michael Clegg’s side now require just five points from six remaining games to secure the championship and they are on course to achieve a record points tally for the division.

Atherton LR had their match at home to Ashton Town postponed due to water supply problems at the ground, meaning they were unable to try and banish the memory of a 3-0 defeat against Colls last week.

Ross McNair’s side will now face Cammell Laird at home on Saturday with play-off ambitions all but evaporated.

Daisy Hill host Holker Old Boys tonight and will be well-rested after a weekend off with no game scheduled.

A win could see Hill rise to eighth in the table with games in hand making the play-offs a possibility.