It was yet again a case of ‘close but no cigar’ as Atherton Collieries were unable to address their poor start to the season with a 2-0 midweek loss at Bootle in NPL West.

It must be said the performance in Merseyside was certainly an improvement on Saturday’s disappointing FA Cup exit, with the additions of Amadou Doumbouya and Pa Babou Jenkins both playing their parts as a more fluid Collieries attempted patient and possession-based football.

However, the Black and Whites’ selection woes furthered during the first half as young midfielder Matt Eckersall, a recent signing from Wigan Athletic, left the field of play with a hamstring injury following a tackle from behind from a Bucks man.

The second half began with a harsh reminder of Saturday’s FA Cup heartbreak, as Bootle, like Silsden, converted in the opening moments of the half, courtesy of Conor Harwood on 47 minutes.

Throughout the second half, the Stripes’ finishing woes continued as Lewis Mansell, Joe Adams and Oli Putnam all failed to find the target with the best of the visitors’ opportunities.

The most well-worked chance of the game fell for Putnam. Young Harry Stephens, who put in a comfortable performance as he returned to his natural central defensive role, played an exceptional pass to Adam Dawson, who cut back only for Putnam’s effort to be blocked.

A second goal eventually came for the Bucks, as Jay Cooper headed home from a Sean Williams corner on 61 minutes, but it did not dampen the fantastic travelling Colls faithful who had found fine voice on the Vesty Road terraces.

Next up, it’s a return to the Dreams2Reality Stadium for David Chadwick’s men, as a Witton Albion side featuring familiar faces such as Kyle King and Elliot Rokka make their return to Atherton for a 3pm kick off on Saturday.