A THRILLING game at Squires Gate saw Atherton LR run out deserved 2-1 winners.

Gate took a 17th minute lead when LR keeper Lee Grogan attempted to kick clear, but the ball hit a defender and rebounded goalwards, allowing Chris Kairns to tap into an empty net.

Debutant Kristian Evans had an excellent match for LR and made a big difference in the team, holding the ball up and giving much needed service to the front players. That, coupled with Liam Donnelly having almost free reign on the right wing, meant for the first time in weeks the Atherton side looked capable of taking the game.

They had to wait until five minutes from time though before they found a way through, Craig Coote heading home a right wing corner.

Gate had the ball in the net two minutes later but the goal was ruled out by the referee for a foul on a defender and with less than a minute left on the clock LR stole the winning goal. Another right sided corner won by the hard working Donnelly was sent into the box and as the home side failed to clear, substitute Jim Persechino poked home for his first goal for the club.

Having now played half of their league games for this season, LR find themselves on 19 points from their 21 games and just below half way in the table. They will be hoping to crack the 20 point mark before the turn of the year, but both of the next two games will be difficult.

On Boxing Day it's the local derby against neighbours Atherton Collieries and the Colls always seem to save their best performances for the matches against LR. Then, on January 2 LR host league leaders Skelmersdale United.