ATHERTON Collieries battled the elements and the Evo-Stik North’s bottom side to earn three much-needed and most welcome points from a 3-2 win.

An air of tension circled around the Kensite Stadium before kick off on Saturday, with both Collieries and their visitors, Goole AFC – who are propping up the table – looking to address their questionable league form.

The conditions were absolutely torrid in Atherton, Storm Brian having an effect on how both sides played from the first whistle to the last.

With his team playing their third game in seven days, Colls manager Michael Clegg opted to shake things up, with Brad Cooke coming in for the unavailable Jamie Forbes and new signing Ryan Salmon replacing Jordan Cover in the starting XI.

Although Colls picked up the three points needed to end a recent poor run of form, they did it the hard way as, against the run of play, the visitors opened the scoring on 22 minutes.

Midfielder Kris Holt lost the ball in midfield, allowing Goole to break. Marcus Edwards broke through the backline and poked the ball past Adam Reid, one-on-one.

Seconds later Collieries came close to an instant response. A corner drilled into the Goole area was headed goalwards by Danny Lafferty but defender Steven Jeff cleared off the line.

Play was slow due to the torrid conditions as everyone involved battled against the fierce elements.

With five minutes to go to the interval, Colls again went close, Ben Hardcastle curling an effort at goal from the edge of the area, a shot out of nowhere that was saved by Sam Leigh.

Atherton had their equaliser on 45 minutes though. Of late, Clegg’s men have upped their set-piece game and have looked increasingly more threatening from dead-ball situations.

The goal itself came from a corner, Rick Smith the man to head in at the near post.

The hosts played much better throughout the second period, but were kept at bay by a dogged Goole side who defended well and frustrated their hosts on a number of occasions.

On 68 minutes, Atherton finally took the lead, and did so in style, another fine effort from winger Hardcastle – with his weaker left foot – finding the top corner from 25 yards.

Two minutes later Colls made it 3-1. Cover had only been on the field barely two minutes when he chased a long ball that zipped across the turf.

The striker used his pace to latch onto the ball and fire a low, hard effort under Leigh.

Clegg’s men were made to sweat though, as Goole pulled a goal back with 10 minutes remaining.

Once again it came against the run of play, the visitors taking advantage of a lapse in concentration as Terry Barwick tapped in to set up a nervy ending. But, ultimately, Colls did just enough to ensure their first three points in just over a month.

The performance was needed against a tough and improving Goole outfit who are better than their one win in 15 suggests.

Saturday’s victory came on the back of a midweek win at Skelmersdale United in the Integro League Cup.

Iain Howard bagged a brace before Holt wrapped up a 3-0 success late on.

On Saturday Colls visit Kendal Town in the first qualifying round of the FA Trophy.