COLNE'S recent good run came to an unceremonious end in the Tameside Stadium with their heaviest defeat of the season.

Yet things could have been so much different had they not squandered a host of chances, and the scoreline certainly didn't reflect the balance of play.

In the second minute James Blackburn beat the off-side trap and raced clear and, with only the keeper to beat, he blasted over the bar from just six yeards.

Then after 10 minutes Steve Cunningham was unfortunate to see his well struck effort go inches wide.

On the stroke of half time Blackburn lost possession and Steve Moore's shot bounced under a bewildered Mark Crossley.

In the second period Colne began well and the chances came thick and fast.

On 55 minutes Anthony Murt was put clean through by Mark Prendergast's header, but his shot was saved by Dave Carnell.

And just five minutes later Murt failed to hit the target when he met Paul Walker's long throw.

On 70 minutes Michael Norton's header appeared to be going wide, but to Crossleys surprise, it rebounded in off the post.

Steve Moore's deflected shot resulted in Curzon's third before Cunningham's free kick reduced the deficit, but Colne's misery was complete when Norton rifled in a fourth past a helpless Crossley.