Atherton Collieries have reached the final of the Lancashire Challenge Trophy for the first time in the club’s history after a dramatic 2-1 victory over Bamber Bridge on Wednesday night.

A brace from Bailey Thompson saw Brad Cooke’s side overcome last season’s semi-final heartbreak, fighting back from behind to defeat a Bridge side reduced to 10 men.

Aaron Skinner’s well-taken strike gave Bamber Bridge an early lead before Mackenzie Chapman denied Fin Sinclair Smith from the spot, with Macauley Wilson shown a straight red card in the aftermath.

A mix-up at the back allowed Thompson to level before half time and the striker made it a brace with minutes remaining to send Colls through to the final at the third time of asking.

Cooke’s side started the game brightly and saw a handful of early half-chances, Marcus Cusani and Thompson going closest with efforts both narrowly over the bar.

The breakthrough for Bridge came on the quarter-hour mark, some tidy passing exchanges on the edge of the area culminating with Skinner’s well-placed strike into the bottom corner.

Jamie Milligan’s side had the chance to double their lead when Jack Lenehan handled in the area, but Sinclair’s spot-kick was turned onto the post by Chapman and scrambled clear by Colls.

The immediate aftermath saw the tie flipped on it’s head as Wilson’s rash challenge on Cusani earned him a straight red in a remarkable 30 seconds of drama.

With a man advantage, Colls restored parity before the half-time whistle, Thompson pouncing on a defensive mix-up and rifling the ball into the roof of an empty net before the break.

Colls’ spell of dominance continued after the interval, Jay Fitzmartin and Ben Hardcastle seeing strikes from distance denied by in-form Joe Goddard, who produced a stunning save to deny Gaz Peet on the hour.

Bridge grew into the game as the half wore on and threatened despite the man-disadvantage, substitute Danny Forbes’s close-range header forcing Chapman into a solid save.

With the game looking destined for penalties, Thompson would eventually net the all-important goal, bundling Cusani’s pinpoint cross over the line with just minutes left on the clock.

A nervy conclusion saw Chapman once again prove his stern credentials, producing a fingertip save to deny Finlay Cross-Adair deep into stoppage time.

In the end it was Colls day, with the final whistle sparking jubilant scenes as the Stripes reached the Trophy’s final for the first time in the club’s history, where either Southport or Ashton Athletic await them.

It’s Non-League Day at Colls tomorrow when Gainsborough Trinity visit the Skuna Stadium in the NPL Premier Division (3pm).