Atherton Collieries continued their unbeaten pre-season form with a goalless home draw against National League North side AFC Fylde on Saturday as they prepare to host Wanderers tomorrow night.

The sun was beaming down on the Skuna Stadium as Brad Cooke’s men took to the field, with many familiar faces from last season in the starting line-up, alongside three trialists.

The early stages of the game saw both teams finding their feet, with no real threat coming from either side.

It was only after 12 minutes when the first shot came from AFC Fylde’s trialist but it trickled wide of the post.

Shortly after, Colls had a few decent chances to take the lead.

Gaz Peet skipped two challenges and laid off to a trialist, but his shot was sliced.

Then, moments later, Marcus Cusani lashed a great effort from the edge of the 18-yard box which skimmed the bar.

Colls were looking the more threatening of the two sides despite the visitors seeing the majority of possession, but few clear-cut chances were created for the remainder of the first half.

A new XI took to the field for the visitors after the break, and the Colls backline had to fend off some decent attacking play in the early stages of the second half.

The hosts hung on and started to grow back into the game and trialist number 19 for Colls looked sharp as he was introduced as a substitute and almost got himself a goal, forcing a great save from Chris Neal.

Danny Taberner in the Colls goal made some smart stops in the closing stages of the match to keep the score goalless at the final whistle.

Overall, it was more minutes in the legs and another solid performance from Colls sees them stretch to three games unbeaten in pre-season.

The Colls camp also gave credit to the staff and players of AFC Fylde who tidied the dugout and changing rooms after the game.

Brad Cooke’s men face a tough test next with the annual match against Wanderers tomorrow at the Skuna Stadium (7.45pm).