COLNE got over the disappointment of their Vase semi-final exit in the best possible manner by beating high riding Formby 2-0 at Holt House.

At the start of a spell of four games in nine days, Nigel Coates rotated his squad by resting several players and bringing in some new faces.

Colne started the brighter and Scott Gizon went close with a header over the bar after early pressure.

Despite being on the back foot for the opening 20 minutes, the visitors created the first real opportunity but, with only the advancing Ross Baxter to beat, the ball was rolled wide of the post.

This was a wake-up call for the Reds and a Carl Haworth shot was well saved before Sam Hayes hit the post with a low drive.

Haworth then had a shot blocked and Hayes' follow-up was driven wide with the visitors' defence in disarray on the stroke of half-time.

Colne pushed forward again in the second half and the breakthrough came 10 minutes in when a poor header out of defence fell to Hayes inside the box to score with a low drive.

New signing Steve Whittaker missed a chance to score on his debut when he fired over an empty net from inside the area.

Gizon later stormed into the Formby area to crash home an unstoppable second and seal the win five minutes from time.

There's no rest for the Reds as they play catch-up by entertaining Flixton tomorrow night (kick-off 7.45pm).

Reds supporters attending last night's or tomorrow's game will receive a token for free entry to the Blackpool Mechanics game on April 1 as a gesture from the club for the magnificent support received during their FA Vase adventure.

COLNE ...2

FORMBY ...0