UNITED continued where they left on Saturday with another comprehensive victory over Atherton.

After struggling at the start of the season, Ken Bridge's men are starting to click into gear and should have won this contest more comfortably.

Russell Brierley brought a good save from keeper Steve Powell and Martin Hulme fired a stinging 25 yard drive just wide as Rammy made a confident start.

And they made the breakthrough on 10 minutes when David Yorke-Robinson scored from Brierley's cross.

Hulme nearly added a second with a rasping free kick which rattled the crossbar. And Powell came to Collieries rescue again when he somehow kept out Danny Goodall's goal-bound effort. Ten minutes into the second half both sides were reduced to 10 men when a scything tackle by Atherton's Mark Fitton on Brendan O'Shaughnessy brought him a second yellow card and with it the mandatory red. And O'Shaughnessy followed him after retaliating.

United then regained control and with just seven minutes remaining Hulme's beautifully struck free kick from 20 yards found the top corner.

Ramsbottom looked for a third, and when Russell Brierley had the chance from the penalty spot, but Powell completed a fine display with a diving save.

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