"IT was almost like watching Real Madrid," beamed Atherton LR manager Alan Lord after his side registered a stunning midweek 5-3 Division Two win at title chasers Squires Gate.

"What a game. What a performance! Squires Gate are a very strong side and I'm sure they'll go up but the way we played in the first half was just breathtaking," he said.

LR led 5-1 early in the second half but took the foot off the pedal for the Seasiders to rally late.

Goals came from Colin Lomas (2), Jason Holroyd, Barry Massay and Gavin Salmon with striker Luke Hardman named as man of the match. Salmon has won the NWCL Division Two player of the month award for January.

The problem for Lord at the moment is one of consistency as just four days prior to the away humbling of the Blackpool outfit his side had looked well out of sorts in a 1-0 defeat at Alsager Tomorrow's cup encounter at Daisy Hill will provide a further insight into the character of this team and its potential to become a Division Two force. With the player eligibility rule for the competition lifted, Lord has virtually a full squad to select from.

Two defeats in four days and another vandalism attack of sickening proportions to the Alder House clubhouse saw the gloom at Atherton Colls turn a slightly deeper shade of grey this week.

The 1-0 defeat at Abbey Hey was followed on Tuesday by a 4-0 home Division One drubbing by a strong Woodleigh Sports side. Added misery came in the midweek game when recent signing from Radcliffe Boro Craig Taylor was sent off on 52 minutes for a two footed tackle.

Historically the Colls character is never better displayed than when backs are up against the wall and that could be vital over the next month. Two wins would clear current relegation anxiety so the message to hosts Rossendale United tomorrow is cautionary as a change of fortune for Colls is already way overdue.