A DOMINANT Atherton Collieries ran out comfortable 4-0 victors over visitors Clitheroe, taking advantage of the inactivity of title rivals Radcliffe to move four points clear at the top of Evo-Stik West.

Having won a thrilling encounter 5-3 in the reverse fixture earlier in the season, Colls’ victory sealed a double over Clitheroe, ending an Alder House hoodoo that has lasted since 1982.

Colls went in front in just the fourth minute.

Vinny Bailey shifted the ball from central midfield to Gareth Peet, who cut inside from the left flank and burst forward into the area where a foul from Hyuga Tanner was punished with a penalty.

Peet promptly dusted himself off and dispatched the resulting spot-kick, despite the efforts of Clitheroe goalkeeper Ben Purdham, who got a hand to the ball as it headed towards the bottom right-hand corner but he could not keep it out.

Tom Bentham had a clear opportunity to double the lead on 20 minutes, firing wildly over the bar after Ben Hardcastle led a keen Colls breakaway.

However, Michael Clegg’s side needed to wait only a further seven minutes before claiming a second goal.

There seemed to be little danger as Jordan Cover received a tricky bouncing ball with his back to goal 25 yards out, but he brought it under control on the turn and unleashed an unstoppable strike into the top corner.

A third goal seemed something of an inevitability and it duly arrived on 36 minutes.

Connor Hughes’ left-sided cross was deflected into the path of Hardcastle who diverted a scruffy left-foot strike past Purdham.

Cover might have had a second of the afternoon six minutes before the break as he hared clear of the Clitheroe defence, but a poor final touch was enough for Purdham to seize the opportunity to clear and keep his side in with a slim chance of salvaging something from the game, as they turned around at 3-0.

Having led the line in imperious fashion all afternoon, Bentham got the goal his performance deserved, running on to a delightful Cover backheel on 61 minutes and expertly firing past Purdham.

Hughes saw his late attempt stopped by the legs of Purdham and Bentham had a shot blocked on the line in stoppage time.

By that point it had long become a question of how many Colls would score and their four goals without reply mean, as well as a four-point lead, Clegg’s side are nine goals better off than Radcliffe, though Boro do have a game in hand.

Just a fortnight remains until the end of the season, and Colls have a week’s rest before playing three games in the final week of the title challenge.

First comes a trip to face basement side Skelmersdale United at their temporary Prescot Cables home next Saturday before Trafford visit the Skuna Stadium on Easter Monday (April 22) ahead of a final-day trip to face Newcastle Town.

All games kick off at 3pm.