Atherton Collieries fell to a late 4-3 defeat to Congleton Town in NPL West, despite a promising attacking display at the Dreams2Reality Stadium on Saturday.

The game started with a frenetic pace and the hosts were quick to open the scoring, as Aaron Dwyer burst down the left-hand side and found Kielen Adams, who netted his first goal in the Stripes.

The visitors responded within minutes as Max McCarthy was quickest to react to a smooth backheel from Ethan Hartshorn, firing past Sol Honor.

McCarthy secured his brace as half time approached, outpacing both Honor and centre-half Tom Bentham to a perfect long through-ball from Peter Williams, earning the freedom of the penalty box to slot into the empty net.

Colls responded immediately however, as Adams was played in behind by Pa Babou Jenkins and with Dwyer to his side, rifled a curled effort home with the outside of his foot on the volley.

The visitors started the second half red-hot as a rocket emerged from a pile of bodies and struck Honor’s bar with a little over five minutes gone.

Colls restored their lead through the head of Calen Gallagher-Allison, a well-taken Dwyer free-kick from just inside the Congleton half found the Black and Whites skipper, whose header floated across the penalty box and in at the far post.

The hosts continued to push, with new signings Dwyer, Harry Lewis and Joe Edwards combining with Adams to form an exciting front four.

But further chances just could not be taken as the visitors continued to push for an equaliser.

A set-piece ultimately began the Colls downfall in the 88th minute, as Peter Williams floated the ball to Thomas Hampton who powered his header past Honor.

Congleton then stole the full share of the spoils in the 94th minute, as George Sankey slotted home through a crowded penalty area from the edge of the box, celebrating with the healthy Bears following.

The Colls return to action with a trip to Widnes to face City of Liverpool on Saturday (3pm).

Before that, tonight, the club host their annual bonfire at the Dreams2Reality.

The next home game for Michael Clegg’s men comes on Friday, November 15 against Wythenshawe Town in the second of this season’s Friday Night Football schedule.