Atherton Collieries’ hopes of Northern Premier League Premier Division survival were given a significant boost on Saturday after they won 2-1 at Bradford (Park Avenue).

Goals from Enock Lusiama and Josh Solomon-Davies put the away side two up, before Will Longbottom’s weather-assisted set-piece halved the deficit early in the second-half.

The game’s opening goal came 26 minutes in, as a pin-point long-range pass from Colls ‘keeper Nico Defreitas-Hansen found Nathan Caine in behind.

Caine then laid the ball off to striker Lusiama, who showed great composure to lift the ball over Brad Wade to give the visitors the lead.

More delightful Defreitas-Hansen distribution provided the opportunity for the second just eight minutes later, with Solomon-Davies set away by a lovely diagonal hit.

And the Saint Lucia international would make no mistake, firing home to give Atherton a two-goal advantage heading into half time.

The home side would find a potential route back into the game shortly after the break, however, as the raging West Yorkshire wind caught hold of Longbottom’s corner, and carried the ball straight in at the near post.

Those blustery conditions, combined with equally driving rain, made the second-half a real battle for both teams, but particularly for the Colls, who were kicking against the significant breeze.

It was a battle from which David Chadwick’s men would ultimately emerge victorious, though, albeit not without a few scares, as substitutes Jordan Preston and Chinedu Osadebe went closest to finding an Avenue equaliser.

It would end 2-1 at full time, however, and that result takes the Colls within four points of safety, with games in hand on those immediately above the drop zone.

Chadwick’s side will attempt to carry that positive momentum into their next league fixture, which sees them host Whitby Town at the Skuna Stadium on Saturday (3pm).