Unlucky Town suffer their first defeat THIRTEEN proved to be unlucky for Atherton Town as they lost their proud unbeaten Premier Division record in a 2-0 defeat at New Mills.

Nine wins and three draws in those 12 opening games however still sees Town three points clear at the top of the table with games in hand on other title rivals.

An unsettled first 20 minutes was the crunch spell as the Derbyshire outfit scored twice.

The rest of the game saw Town dominate but for once draw a blank in front of goal.

"It was just one of those days went it didn't go for us," said manager Shaun Lynch.

"We must have had 15 chances and didn't score. If we'd played badly I would have been disappointed. As it is we have to start all over again and we're still top."

The Reserves drew 2- 2 at home to Mitchell Shackleton with goals from Phil Sheehan and Tommy Stokes.

Pennington are now six points adrift at the bottom of the Premier listing after a 2-1 defeat at Dukinfield Town.

A goal down after just ten minutes, a tactical change by manager Mike Hardman made a big difference and it was 1-1 at the break through Gary Groocock's converted penalty after Carl Caffrey had been hauled back.

The game hinged on a controversial second half incident when two players went in for a tackle, the ball spilled out, the Pennington keeper gathered and was amazed to see the referee award a free kick for a back pass.

This led to Dukinfield's winner and left Hardman to comment: "That's the sort of thing that has been happening to us. We played well again though so I can't be too disappointed, especially as I have one or two new signings coming in for next week."

Evergreen veteran Damien Walshe was named by Hardman as his man of the match.

Dave Hall scored twice for the Reserves in a 6-0 home victory over Milton.

Leigh Athletic beat Monton Amateurs 4-1 at home with Danny Wilson scoring twice, brother Rick and Craig Little once.

Breightmet United defied all the odds, logic, common sense and just about everything else in a stunning 5-2 Division One away win at Wilmslow Albion, the side that led the table going into the weekend.

The disappointment of losing three players to other teams in recent weeks looked to have taken it's toll as United went 2-0 down in the first ten minutes. However, by the break, new striker Faisal Mohmed had taken centre stage waltzing through on his own for the first goal and getting the equaliser for 2-2.

The second half saw United in breathtaking form, Damien Harper's free kick headed in by Paul Fletcher, Mohmed completing his hat-trick and Andy Kelly finishing off a superb passing movement.

Manager Phil Breakell was quite rightly overjoyed by his side's showing.

"The desertion of so-called star players has only served to unite the players who have stayed," he beamed. "It was just a brilliant show from the lads. There's no other word for it."

Paul Fletcher was named as man of the match with midfielder Alex Clarkson also catching the eye.

Two goals in the second half earned Hindsford a 2-0 home win over Whalley Range.

Chris Jolley got the first from a penalty after Matt Toone had been fouled with man of the match Tony Brown banging home the second left footed at the end of a quite brilliant move.

Reserve team manager Lee White was delighted to see his side show character in bouncing back from a two goal half time deficit to draw 2-2 also against Whalley Range, Peter Barry getting the leveller with a 30 yard scorcher.