ATHERTON LR 0, MAINE ROAD 2: A poignant minute of silence was held in memory of former Rovers player Danny Young, who died last week whilst playing for the youth team.

The game itself was a sombre affair. Rovers keeper Martin Campbell was kept busy, making several good saves to keep the lively Maine Road strikers at bay.

Just before the break, Steve Steele saw a shot cleared off the line.

Maine Road took the lead on 62 minutes when a defensive error allowed David Yates to slip in unmarked at the near post to score.

The visitors hit the woodwork before finally grabbing a second, Gareth Richards making amends for some sloppy finishing by firing past Campbell.