Atherton Collieries’ disappointing start to the season continued with a limp FA Cup exit at the hands of Northern Counties club Silsden after a 2-0 defeat.

The Colls ranks were bolstered for the game with Pa Babou Jenkins becoming available to make his debut, and the versatile midfielder impressed at both ends of the pitch during his first outing for the Stripes.

The first half was a nervy affair as both teams jostled to take control of proceedings, with the lower division hosts more than holding their own against David Chadwick’s Collieries.

The Black and Whites’ inability to gain a foothold was punished at the start of the second half, Kayle Price converting as the Colls were unable to match the pace of a Silsden counter attack.

It was soon a double whammy for the Yorkshiremen, Casey Stewart initially producing a great stop from Ellis Litherland before he made no mistake with the rebound.

The hosts were unfortunate not to convert a third with a multitude of chances throughout the second half, although the Colls mounted some late pressure towards the end of the game, but were unable to convert the possession into a chance of note.

The Colls have a chance to make amends, with trips to Bootle tomorrow night in NPL West and Witton Albion on Saturday, offering quickfire opportunities to rectify the poor start to the season.