Colne maintained their recent hot streak with a convincing victory against lowly Atherton LR, which made it just one defeat in their last 11 league games and keeps alive their aspirations for a possible UniBond place next season.

The Reds got off to a great start when, after just four minutes Michael Rosser's free-kick evaded everybody in the box and curved into the far corner of the net.

On 15 minutes, Colne almost increased their lead when Kevin Urwin just failed to connect at the far post from a well flighted Martin Broderick corner with the Atherton keeper Chris Brinksman well beaten.

But, a minute later, Atherton came close to grabbing an equaliser when David Derefaka just failed to connect with a cross after good work by Andy Roscoe. Colne broke away and Stevie Hall brought a brilliant save out of Brinksman after a good run and dribble through the middle.

Then, just before the break, Rosser almost replicated his goal with another free kick but this time the ball went narrowly wide.

The second half began like the first period when just four minutes in Colne added a second goal when Kieron Roberts released Liam Garbutt through the middle and he coolly chipped the ball over the advancing Brinksman.

Atherton fought back bravely and began to threaten the Colne goal with good efforts from Ashley Elliott and Lee Unsworth bringing out two great saves from Chris Brennan.

Then, after 67 minutes, they were rewarded for their pressure when Derefaka nodded back a corner at the far post for Ben Lenders to force home the ball past the helpless Brennan.

The Reds came back strongly and on 75 minutes they added a third when Roberts struck a beautiful ball from just inside the area into the far top corner of the net.

In the last 15 minutes, having used all their substitutes, Atherton were reduced to 10 men when Anthony Philipek collided with the advertising boards and was taken to hospital with a bad shoulder injury.

From this moment, Colne mounted assault after assault on the Atherton goal.

Urwin, Gizon and Garbutt were denied by goal-line clearances, before Gizon added a well-deserved fourth when he rose above the Atherton defence to power home a header from a pinpoint cross from Garbutt.