ATHERTON Collieries could face disciplinary action after their North West Counties League Challenge Cup second-round tie at home to Bacup and Rossendale Borough was abandoned at half time.

First Division Collieries were leading the Premier Division side 2-1 with first-half goals from Gaz Peet and Bradley Cooke when the referee called a halt to the tie following an altercation in the tunnel between players of both teams.

Collieries have refused to comment on the abandonment but on Saturday evening league secretary John Deal issued a statement on the NWCL website: “Following the abandonment of this afternoon’s game betweeen Atherton Collieries and Bacup and Rossendale Borough, the League Management Committee will, in due course, be made aware of the contents of the referee’s report regarding the circumstances that led to the game being abandoned.

“As the abandonment of the game may be subject to FA disciplinary charges, no comment can be made on behalf of the League Management Committee at this stage.”

Meanwhile, Matthew Boland’s hat-trick helped fire Collieries’ neighbours Atherton LR to an impressive 6-2 win at Leek CSOB.

Craig Boothby, Kristan Holt and Mark Ayres also netted to seal victory for LR who travel to Oldham Boro in the league tonight.

It was a disappointing day for Daisy Hill, however, who went down 5-1 at Cheadle Town – Nial Callaghan getting their consolation on the hour mark.

Radcliffe Borough’s four-game unbeaten league streak ended with a 2-0 defeat at Evo-Stik Division One North high-flyers Farsley.

Borough had won their previous three games in the division to haul themelves off the bottom of the table.

But Lee Ellington gave the west Yorkshire side an early lead after eight minutes and then doubled the advantage four minutes before half-time.

The scoreline remained the same in the second period and Boro returned over the Pennines looking to regroup for another tough away game on Saturday, at league leaders Warrington Town in a rearranged clash.