BACUP manager Brent Peters picked up the Manager of the Month award for October after watching his side dispose of Atherton LR.

The visitors were reduced to ten men early on, when Atherton's Stuart Tulloch deliberately head-butted his former team mate Simon Myerscough.

But on 25 minutes the home side took the lead. Bacup goalkeeper Billy Carrington came out to collect the ball, but he spilled it and was not granted a second chance to reclaim when Ged McAllister capitalised on his error.

Worse was to follow for Bacup when on 40 minutes Todd Heys was caught ball watching whilst his marker Richard Duncan moved into space and he gave the home side a two goal advantage.

Minutes later Atherton were reduced two nine men when McCallister deliberately elbowed Lee Anderson right in front of the referee.

On 47 minutes the visitors pulled a goal back when Lee Oldham went past two players before his shot rebounded back off the post to Stuart Shepherd, who scored.

Further chances fell to Bacup through Simon Heaton and captain Ian Hughes' header was forced over the line by Oldham to equalise.

On 76 minutes Bacup took the lead with a move involving Hays, Rezia and Carroll before Shepherd headed the visitors in front for the first time in the game.

Once again the frustration was getting the better of the home side and they were reduced to eight men when Russ Kenyon was sent off for putting Hughes into the advertising boards.

Bacup put the game beyond doubt in the dying minutes thanks to a superb goal, which was scored by Bryan Herbert.