ATHERTON Collieries tasted defeat for only the second time in the league this season at home to Holker Old Boys.

Despite losing their unbeaten home record the Atherton outfit still find themselves at the top of the table with a two point lead.

Colls had a number of chances to take the lead before finding themselves a goal behind on 20 minutes. Holker defender Daniel Pattinson fired home after a fine pass by his brother Jamie.

Just before the break, the home side could count themselves unlucky not to have equalised when Karl Atherton went close.

The earlier goalscorer Daniel Pattinson was on hand to clear the ball off the line to send the Barrow side in with the lead.

Holker goalkeeper Oliver Bell was praised for his fantastic performance in the reverse fixture earlier on in the season which ended in a 2-2 draw; the same could be said after this match.

Chris Lawton and Robert Swanton were next to be denied before Mark Truffas fired in on 59 minutes. The winger picked the ball up on the right wing before a cross-cum-shot nestled in the back of the net.

On 75 minutes Colls found themselves behind again after an unfortunate error.

Goalkeeper Joe Brobbin passed the ball out where it slowed down on a sticky surface. Jamie Pattinson picked up the loose ball and had no problem chipping an advancing Brobbin.

With time running out, the home side were caught on the break by Holker substitute John-Paul Stanway.

The goal wrapped up the three points for Old Boys who have taken four points off the league leaders this season.

Paul Atherton pulled a consolation goal back in the last minute to reduce the negative impact on Colls’ goal difference which may prove crucial come April.

Elsewhere, Daisy Hill lost 3-1 at home to current league champions Formby.

Thomas Disley claimed a last-minute goal for the home side who held The Squirrels to a one- goal lead for the vast majority of the match. The defeat means the Westhoughton side have now won just once in 17 matches.