WITH Bacup facing a two-legged cup semi-final, manager Brent Peters defied the league by playing a vastly under-strength side in this re-arranged game.
The visitors looked more like a veterans team that had run out of steam during the first half, and Atherton took a 3-0 lead into the interval.
They opened the scoring on 13 minutes with a shot that went in off the post before goalkeeper Dave Felgate was again beaten seven minutes later.
Atherton's third goal came when Bacup allowed Atherton's players too much space and were punished as a result.
Substitute Stuart Telfer had a goal disallowed for offside late in the second half before Gareth Thomas went close.
At the start of the second half manager Brent Peters brought on Steve Stott and Stuart Telfer and shortly after brought on Jimmy Foster.
Late in the half Stewart Telfer had a goal disallowed for offside, then Jimmy Foster's header found Gareth Thomas whose shot was creeping in the near post until the home side keeper pulled off a good save to keep Bacup at bay.
ATHERTON COLLS ...3
BACUP BOROUGH ...0
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