Colne’s new striker Nathan Bond gave Steve Cunningham his first win as Colne manager with a brace against Congleton Town at the XLCR Stadium. Bond opened the scoring after 35 minutes when he met Jason Hart’s cross with a powerful header.

Colne keeper Chris Thompson made sure the lead remained intact with a fine save to deny Kurtis Gill an equaliser.

But the Reds struck again after 41 minutes when a long diagonal free kick found Bond at the far post and his well timed header gave the keeper no chance.

Congleton came back strongly in the second half and Thompson produced some more vital saves before Lee Healey pulled a goal back from the spot in the 86th minute.