COLNE extended their recent run to just one defeat in their last 13 games as they climbed to fourth in the North West Counties Premier Division to put themselves in the title race.

After the atrocious weather in the last few weeks it was a perfect day and pitch for football on Saturday.

But it was Congleton who made the best start and in the first 20 minutes the play was concentrated in the Colne half of the field.

The Reds defended well, though, and Nigel Coates’ side gradually clawed their way back into the contest.

Jason Hart slipped the ball to Mark Coyne, who was only denied by a brilliant fingertip save by Michael Langley.

Minutes later Hart’s free kick to Ashley Carter was laid back to Robert Grimes but his shot was deflected for a corner.

Grimes was denied by Langley after the interval, then Colne keeper Chris Thompson had to make a brilliant save to deny Michael Koral for the visitors.

But Colne took the lead with quarter of an hour remaining, although in somewhat fortunate circumstances when Carter’s shot-cum-cross deceived Langley and nestled into the top far corner.

Congleton’s Dominic Craig made goal-line clearances from Hart and Mickey Saunders in the closing stages as Colne looked to extended their lead.