ATHERTON Collieries’ last visit to Colwyn Bay saw them off-colour and outplayed before a late Ben Hardcastle wonder strike secured three points that kick-started their season and sparked their Integro Challenge Cup triumph.

This time, the players headed for north Wales on the back of consecutive league defeats in games which had seen the usually razor-sharp attack falter.

But Colls returned to winning ways with a 2-1 win against their hosts, who had been hitting form and looking to move up from their mid-table position.

Clive Smith made his debut following his move from Droylsden and Ben Conway returned to the starting XI after a spell on the sidelines through injury.

With Colls comfortable in possession the first half saw the Bay moved around the pitch hunting the ball as they played against the strong wind.

Despite their grip on the game Colls did not really create anything clear-cut, with the best opportunity being Vinny Bailey’s smart effort from distance, which was nonchalantly palmed over by Andy Coughlin.

The hosts’ standout moment had come in the fourth minute when James Barrigan was played through but Greg Hartley was on hand to snuff out the danger.

The second half saw the heavens open and Colwyn Bay had the conditions on their side but had expended a lot of their energy in the first period.

Tom Bentham had a decent shout for a penalty flatly refused and Craig Pritchard flashed a shot wide of Hartley’s goal.

Just after the hour mark the Atherton side took the lead. Dave Sherlock played a neat one-two with Hardcastle before he slotted the ball past the advancing Coughlin.

The well-crafted goal was the talented midfielder’s last involvement of the game as he was instantly replaced by the returning Connor Gaul.

Little more than five minutes later the lead was doubled.

Bailey floated in a teasing free kick and Ian Rowlands beat Coughlin to head into the unguarded net.

The hosts did not let their heads drop and the lively Barrigan pulled a goal back on 73 minutes, his fine finish giving Hartley no chance.

Both teams had chances to add to their tallies, with Jordan Cover hitting a piledriver which may have burst the net had it not been narrowly off target and Hartley having to save a couple from distance as the Welshmen looked to snatch a point.

But with no further scoring Michael Clegg’s men returned home with the three points that keep them in the hunt for the Evo-Stik West title.

It was a handy return to form and a deserved victory eked out in often horrific conditions.

Colls remain in third place as the top two Runcorn Linnets and Radcliffe also garnered maximum points at the weekend.

Next for Colls is the visit of Glossop North End on Saturday.

Kick off at the Skuna Stadium is 3pm.