UNITED sailed into the FNWTL Challenge Cup second round by the slenderest of margins after beating Collieries for the fourth time this season in a match which was postponed on Saturday.

In spite of the conditions, Ramsbottom created first half openings and played some good football. One particularly excellent run down the right by Mike Garside was spoiled when he elected to shoot with both Russell Brierley and Yorke-Robinson unmarked.

On 35 minutes Karl Brown picked up a rib injury and was replaced by Brendan O'Shaughnessy.

Just before the break with the yellow card count rising, Atherton were reduced to 10 men when skipper Liam Bowden was sent off for a second cautionable offence.

The second half began scrappily with the appalling conditions making good football almost impossible, but as the game wore on, Ramsbottom looked in control.

Russell Brierley's pace as usual was causing the home side problems, and with 15 minutes to go, he got in a tremendous header which was somehow cleared off the line by full back Smith.

With just eight minutes remaining, United finally got the breakthrough when O'Shaunessey's free kick found Jamie Rampling, and his low shot could only be helped into the net by an Atherton defender.

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