Atherton Collieries finished bottom of the Vodkat NW Counties Premier League after losing 2-0 at home to fellow strugglers Abbey Hey in their final game of a disappointing season.
The Alder House side never fully recovered after losing their first 10 games and their relegation fate was already sealed. But victory on Monday night could have saved them from collecting the wooden spoon.
They suffered an early setback when Andy Barker dislocated his knee after just seven minutes, but they responded well and had the better of the game until the 65th minute when Danny Heffernan put the visitors in front from the penalty spot.
Abbey Hey were reduced to 10 men when they had a player sent off for a second bookable offence with 17 minutes to go, but they still had the last word when Callum Schofield put the result beyond doubt five minutes from time.
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