ATHERTON Colls’ remarkable improvement to the season continued on Saturday with a 2-1 penalty-laden victory over high-flying Congleton.

It was Collieries’ third win in four games in the Vodkat NW Counties Premier Division and lifted them out of the relegation zone.

Craig Hoyland put Colls ahead in the first minute from the penalty spot after he was brought down in the area, but the lead lasted just eight minutes, as Andy Walker upended a Congleton player in the box, and Matt Woolley equalised.

Colls survived a couple of chances from Congelton, who were fifth before the game, and failed to capitalise on another penalty award in the last minute of the first-half, when Troy Hayder’s shot was saved after Walker's cross was handled in the area.

A fourth penalty decision in the 62nd minute proved decisive, however, as Josh Stott fired home after Ryan Sutcliffe had been fouled.

Colls hope to continue their good form tonight, kick-off 7.45pm, when they play local rivals Leigh Genesis in a re-arranged Lancashire Challenge Trophy game.

Two late goals was little consolation for Dasiy Hill after a 5-2 defeat at promotion-chasing Cheadle Town.

Mike Myers celebrated with a hat-trick and Ben Brookes with two goals before Adam Chadwick and Craig Coote grabbed two goals in the last two minutes.

It was a testing second game in charge for new manager Craig Thomas, but he was quick to take some positives from the defeat.

“We are rebuilding and it will take time but we were knocked back by a couple of defensive errors,” he said. “We went for it and were unlucky not to get a goal back before they scored a third which floored us.

“What pleased me was in the last 15 minutes we finished strong and played some good football and scored two goals.”

The manager will use Wednesday's home game against Ramsbottom United in the Lancashire Challenge Trophy to give some of his squad players a run out.