ATHERTON Collieries suffered last-gasp heartbreak on their first visit to Clitheroe’s Shawbridge home in more than a decade.

On this occasion a 93rd-minute goal by home striker Kurt Willoughby broke Colls’ hearts and their 100-strong travelling support.

Jamie Forbes and Ben Hardcastle returned to the starting line-up while Gareth Peet was making his 200th competitive appearance for the club.

Michael Clegg’s team started well and had a couple of half-chances which didn’t really trouble Clitheroe keeper Chris Thompson.

Willoughby gave Adam Reid his first taste of action when he was called upon to save a fierce free kick, the Colls keeper perhaps getting away with one when a Clitheroe attacker went down in the box in the ensuing melee.

Reid pulled off a fine double save to keep his side on level terms and, seconds later, Peet teed up Hardcastle whose rasping drive narrowly cleared the crossbar, meaning the teams were locked at 0-0 at the break.

Early in the second half Peet’s buccaneering run ended with him being upended on the edge of the box. The referee waved away penalty appeals, although photographic evidence would later show the challenge had been inside the area, and the free kick was wasted.

Colls substitute George West could not capitalise on two chances and Alex Newby should have wrapped it up for the Blues but somehow headed wide with the goal gaping.

But in added time, the best player on parade proved his worth.

A flick-on put Willoughby clear and he showed great composure to rifle past Reid.

There was still time for Colls to equalise equalised with the last kick of the game but Kristy Holt sent a decent chance over the bar.

After four straight away games Colls return to the Kensite Stadium on Saturday for a first meeting with Goole AFC.

In the Hallmark Security League First Division, Atherton LR lost 2-0 at Whitchurch Alport, and Daisy Hill suffered a 4-3 defeat at home to Cammell Laird.