COLNE and Banorldswick Town both suffered North West Counties League Premier Division defeats on a disappointing afternoon.

Steve Cunningham’s side were beaten 3-1 at home by Congleton Town while Barlick suffered a heavy 6-2 defeat away at leaders Runcorn Linnetts.

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Stewart Airdrie’s side contained the hosts for much of the opening half but the deadlock was broken when Francis Smith put Runcorn ahead eight minutes before the break. And the same man scored a crucial goal right on the interval to leave the home side two up at the break.

Martin Crowder then scored a quick-fire double early in the second half to put the result beyond doubt but were visitors continued to fight and were back in the game minutes later.

First Martin Broderick reduced the deficit on the hour and five minutes later Joel Melia made it 4-2 to raise hopes of an unlikely comeback.

But those faint prospects were extinguished when Matthew Atherton hit a fifth for Runcorn with 15 minutes remaining. There was still time for Smith to complete his hat-trick in the last minute.

The result leaves Barlick just a point clear of the bottom three.

The Reds were slow to start and fell behind after 13 minutes when Richard Anane got to the bye line and his low cross was fired home by Ben Halfacre at the far post.

Colne fought back but were denied what looked a clear penalty on the half hour when Danny Boyle was pushed to the ground as he burst into the visitors’ penalty area.

Congelton then doubled their lead when Chris Middleton headed home the visitors’ second goal.

Boyle forced a great save from Congleton’s keeper Craig Ellison just before half time and Colne looked to be getting to grips with the game in the first part of the second half.

But as they pushed forward, they inevitably left gaps at the back and were caught on the counter after 74 minutes when Middleton raced clear on the right and beat Thompson with a low shot at his near post to stretch Congleton’s lead to 3-0. Colne were given a lifeline just four minutes later when Louis James handled Spencer Jordan’s shot in the goalmouth and received a red card as well as conceding a penalty, which Boyle converted.

The Reds pressurised the visitors’ goal in the closing stages but Boyle saw his angled shot rebound off the far post as Congleton held on for the win.

Colne travel to 1874 Northiwch tomorrow night in the second round of the MEN Cup.