After three weeks without a game Colne got back into action hoping to continue their recent good run of results which had lifted them up into fourth place in the NWCL Premier Division. And had the Reds been more lethal in front of goal in the opening exchanges, that run may well have continued.

Dominic Craig, Jason Hart and Mickey Saunders all had good chances to open the scoring for Colne.

As it was, Alsager scored with the first attack on seven minutes, Matt Dodwell rising to head home a free kick from Elliott Ledwards.

Colne continued to mount pressure and Craig had a shot was blocked while Hart and Saunders were both then denied by saves from Matthew Coton.

But Nigel Coates side failed to maintain the high tempo after the break – although Ashley Carter and Hart again both went close – before Sam Aspinwall blasted home a second in the 80th minute.