There was more late heartbreak for Atherton Collieries after visitors FC United of Manchester scored twice in the last 10 minutes to come from behind and win 2-1 in the NPL Premier Division clash at the Skuna Stadium on Saturday.
A headed effort by in-form Enock Lusiama was cancelled out by Dontai Gabidon and Aaron Bennett’s late efforts to take all three points back to Broadhurst Park.
The first half started with both teams trying to gain a foothold as Jordan Scanlon was denied by George Murray-Jones in the FC goal in the first real chance.
The deadlock was broken with 10 minutes of the first half to play as Lusiama rose highest to head home a Lewis Thompson corner for his 13th goal of the campaign.
The second half began in the same fashion as both teams looked to gain a foothold and take control of an otherwise dull fixture.
But Colls remained in front until the 80th minute when Gabidon freed himself from a previously stubborn Colls defence and fired past Tom Donaghy to restore parity.
FC United’s goal galvanised the hosts after a poor second half from both sides, and Ben Rydel freed substitute Oli Putnam but his low effort was well denied by Murray-Jones.
United thought they had won it as Gabidon broke through the Colls back line and played an expert ball across to Aaron Bennett who dragged it wide from two yards out.
But the final chance fell again to Bennett who would not make the same mistake twice.
The young forward broke Colls hearts when he managed to slot beyond Donaghy in the 90th minute.
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