GREAT Harwood Town defeated higher league opposition once again to book a place in the third round of the League Challenge Cup.

The Robins swept aside Nantwich 2-0 in the previous round and looked equally impressive against an Atherton side that lie seventh in NWCL Division One.

Hat-trick hero Paul Mashiter, who has recently become a father, was the star of the show, and Robins boss John Hughes said: "Mashy was outstanding, we looked solid at the back and once again we've shown that we can hold our own against the big boys."

James Coonan weighed in with Harwood's other goal.