ATHERTON LR's sorry season in the North West Counties League First Division continued with a 1-0 defeat at home to bottom side Whitchurch Alport.

Tom Smith scored the only goal of the game for the visitors in the ninth minute to condemn LR to their 20th defeat of the league campaign.

The result left LR one point off the bottom with five games remaining.

Atherton Collieries' match at Alsager in the Premier Division was postponed due to a waterlogged pitch.

Colls, who are third, 10 points off top spot with two games in hand of leaders Runcorn Linnets, are due back in action tomorrow night when they travel to second-placed Colne, while LR entertain Widnes. Both matches kick off at 7.45pm.