Atherton Laburnum Rovers progressed into the first round proper of the FA Vase and an away trip to Maine Road next month after a well-deserved 1-0 home victory against Shirebrook Town on Saturday.

The visitors went into the match on the back of a three-match winning run, but it ended at Crilly Park.

Despite being on top throughout, Rovers could only break the deadlock in added-on time to secure victory.

A throw-in from Nathan Battersby found its way to Rob Molyneux who took his time to pick out Kristian Holt at the back post who headed in from close range.

LR manager Michael Clegg was happy with the attitude displayed by his players and said: “The game wasn’t one for the purist, but we showed great character and dominated with a number of chances. We should have won the game earlier”.

In the first division, Atherton Collieries moved up to third with an impressive win at fellow promotion chasers Irlam.

The two teams met on the first day of the season with Colls winning 4-2.

Since then, Irlam have been unbeaten in the league, so it was always going to be a tough match for Steve Pilling’s men.

Colls eventually won 3-1, despite Irlam taking a 1-0 lead into half time.

Winger Ben Christopher crossed in from the left, before Jordan Icely volleyed past Colls keeper Joe Brobbin.

The second half saw a much-improved display from the visitors.

And they equalised through Aaron Cringle on 50 minutes.

Captain Brad Cooke fed the midfielder who finished superbly under pressure. Two minutes later Colls took the lead when defender Jonah O’Reilly played the ball through to Paul Atherton from a free-kick and he was allowed time and space to produce a composed finish.

Three points were secured in the last minute of normal time when the ball was handled by Irlam’s Steven Mills in the area, and Gareth Peet converted a penalty for his ninth goal of the season.

Boss Pilling was delighted with Colls’ performance, even allowing for a poor first-half display.

“Despite having four easy chances, it was an awful first half from us,” he said. “We turned things around after regrouping. The lads lifted their game and we dominated much of the second half.”

Elsewhere, Daisy Hill lost 3-2 at home to Leek CSOB to leave them 11th.

The hosts took the lead on 16 minutes through Simon Farrell. Kieron Ball then equalised for the visitors after 32 minutes. Another goal from Farrell saw Daisy regain the lead in the 57th minute, before two late strikes from Leek’s Dwayne Spence settled the match.