ON their first home game of the season, Atherton Collieries suffered a rude awakening, conceding three first-half goals against last season’s play-off victors Warrington, to eventually lose 4-2.

The eventual scoreline did not tell the full story, however, with Colls enjoying a significant amount of chances and possession but lacking the killer touch of their opposition.

Oliver Roberts sent an eighth-minute 30-yarder over the bar before Colls went close twice in a matter of seconds on 20 minutes, Dave Sherlock cracking a strike against the woodwork from 25 yards, and Brad Lynch curling his follow-up on the rebound agonisingly wide.

The visitors went in front on 27 minutes from the penalty spot, Jack Mackreth sending the ball low to Theo Roberts’ right-hand side after Clive Smith clipped Alex Byrne in the box.

It took only three minutes for Warrington to double their lead, Tony Gray heading in Byrne’s cross.

The unmarked Daniel Lafferty had a gilt-edged opportunity to pull a goal back on 36 minutes, but headed Roberts’ free kick over the bar.

And Colls’ wastefulness was punished a minute before the break as Warrington scored a third, Louis Barnes thumping a strike into the top corner of Roberts’ goal.

It got worse for Colls in the second half, with Matthew Chadwick heading in Warrington’s fourth goal on the hour.

All hope was not quite lost, though, as with the rain tumbling down Colls pulled back two goals in quick succession.

Lafferty headed home a Ben Hardcastle cross on 64 minutes, three minutes before Peet confidently dispatched the second penalty of the game, Hardcastle the man brought down in the box.

Sherlock struck the woodwork for a second time with 10 minutes remaining, this time hitting the post with another rasping effort from distance.

Warrington went close to ending the hosts’ chances of a comeback on 82 minutes, Josh Amis beating Roberts to a loose back pass and looking to roll it in to the empty net but failing to account for the retreating Lafferty who stopped the ball a yard short of the line.

Colls continued to press in search of a third goal but it was not to be.

Manager Michael Clegg will hope for better fortunes as they head into this weekend’s FA Cup action.

Runcorn Linnets are the visitors to the Skuna Stadium for a 3pm kick off.