NELSON went nap with a five-goal thrashing of Atherton LR at Victoria Park - to give some much-needed relief for boss Denny Khan.

The Blues boss insisted that Saturday's Vodkat League Division One match was a 'must-win' as Nelson sat joint-bottom of the league before kick-off.

But a confident performance against Atherton has taken Nelson out of the bottom two and they will fancy their chances of back-to-back victories when they travel to rock-bottom Abbey Hey next Saturday.

But it was Atherton who scored first when Nial Callaghan was unmarked and scored easily with a side-foot into the bottom corner on 22 minutes.

Nelson responded well and drew level just four minutes later when Gary Smith drove home a low shot following a Dennis Hill corner.

And on 38 minutes, Smith won a penalty when he was brought down by Rick Newell.

Ed O'Neill fired in the spot-kick to give Nelson the lead.

The Blues punished their visitors just two minutes into the second-half when Ryan Cross scored their third goal with a shot from a narrow angle that went in off the far post.

And it was Cross who made it four to Nelson after 61 minutes when he found the net with another angled drive.

Atherton's Rick Arnold forced a great save from Billy Carrington and saw another shot hit the Nelson post.

But the Blues had plenty of chances to increase their lead and it was no surprise when Gary Smith added their fifth goal with a cool finish in the closing minutes.