COLNE gained their third win in four games with an away victory at Cheadle Town.

It was also a day of double celebration for the Reds as Andy Lawson and Dean Grice were appointed as the new management team.

Colne were on top from the start playing some attractive football and several chances came in the opening half hour.

The home keeper nearly gave the Reds an early advantage when his clearance was hit against George Craddock but the ball rolled the wrong side of the post. With pressure building on the home defence a move involving Morley, Webster and Cooper resulted in a curling shot from Craddock going just over the bar. Colne were now dominating the midfield and shots from Webster, Ingham and Morley all went close.

Five minutes from half-time Colne took a well deserved lead when a Ben Callon free-kick was smashed against the crossbar and the rebound was put in the net from leading goalscorer Craddock from close range.

The second half was only three minutes old when a Cooper cross from the left caused panic in the home defence and Chris Ingham slotted home from close range.

Cheadle for the first time applied pressure on the Colne defence, but with Richard Walton, Sam Hayes and Marc Berry outstanding it took a deflection from a long range shot to bring the first real save from keeper Ross Baxter.

The Reds had to battle hard as Cheadle enjoyed their best spell of the game but in the 70th minute good work between Webster and Ingham released Cooper down the left who cut inside the fullback only to see a well struck shot saved by the home keeper.

Cheadle had their best chance of the match in the 75th minute when they were awarded a penalty from what seemed to be a harsh decision.

Justice was done when Channon pulled the spot kick wide of the post.

As Cheadle pushed forward Colne had several chances to increase their lead on the break.

Firstly Callon hit the post before Ingham was thwarted by the home keeper when through one on one.

Colne ran out deserved winners to record their first back to back league wins since January.

Player-chairman James Webster was delighted with the result and the appointment and said: "It is the best news the club and the lads could have had. Everybody has worked hard the last few games and we are now starting to get the results our football deserves but we have also started to battle and earn the right to play."

CHEADLE TOWN...0 COLNE...2