Leigh Genesis’s mini-revival came off the rails at Crilly Park in a 2-1 defeat at the hands of fellow-strugglers Harrogate Railway Athletic.

Wayne Harratt put the Yorkshire side ahead on 14 minutes and after Steve Ferrigan levelled with 15 minutes remaining it looked like Genesis would at least avoid defeat for the fourth match on the bounce.

But Michael Duckworth struck in the last minute to gift Athletic their win.

Meanwhile, Benny Phillips’s struggling Radcliffe Borough did themselves no harm with a 0-0 draw against fourth-placed Curzon Ashton at Stainton Park.

It was a match Phillips admitted Boro were expected to lose, but, earlier in the week, he threw the gauntlet down to his men, challenging them to prove they were worth a contract for next season.

One player Boro will definitely be holding on to is Mark Jones who has agreed to sign a new one-year deal which will also include a one-year option.

The 24-year-old midfield dynamo has turned down three approaches from other clubs already this season but has voiced his approval of plans for next season.

Club chairman Bernard Manning spoke of his delight at the deal.

“The signing of Mark confirms we really want to make progress on the pitch,” he said.

“It is no secret that a number of bigger clubs have been on the phone during the past three months, but it goes to show that the players have belief in the new management structure and our plans for the future.”

Boro’s highly-rated striker Ben Wharton, aged 20, penned a one-year deal last week.

Atherton LR stretched their unbeaten run to seven matches when they came from behind to beat Vodkat North West Counties Premier Division promotion-chasers Padiham 3-1.

Carl Beamish put visiting Rovers ahead on six minutes before Paul Fildes levelled for the east Lancashire men from the penalty spot 13 minutes later.

Phil Howard put LR ahead on 66 minutes and Beamish sealed the points with his second 16 minutes from time.

Atherton Collieries consolidated their position among the front runners in Division One with a 2-1 victory at Abbey Hey. Paul Atherton put the visitors ahead with the game 21 minutes old and Paul Shanley provided the two-goal cushion with a header from Atherton’s cross on 33 minutes.

Colls goalkeeper Josh Harris conceded a second-half penalty, but atoned by saving the Abbey Hey spot kick.

The hosts were much the better side in the second half, hitting the post before Darrn Green pulled one back six minutes from time with the Colls holding on to get all three points.

Steve Pilling’s men are at home to top-of-the-league Runcorn tonight (kick off 7.45pm) aiming to avenge a 6-0 drubbing in the recent reverse fixture.

Daisy Hill put in a gutsy performance to recover from a two-goal deficit at home to Ashton Town to draw 2-2. Paul John Cliff put Town ahead on 33 minutes and Wesley Paterson doubled their advantage on the stroke of half time.

But two penalties from Daniel Gregory in the 58th and 73rd minutes saw Craig Thomas’s men grab a share of the points.