A goal in stoppage time in each half condemned Atherton Collieries to their first defeat in five games as Chasetown continued their march towards the play-offs in NPL West.
A 2-1 home defeat saw Colls return to the fourth relegation spot on goal difference after Kidsgrove Athletic returned to the winners enclosure. It is rather tight down there.
The first half on Saturday was a real slow burner with the visitors having more than their share of possession playing up the slope.
They took the lead with the last tangible touch of the half, Joey Butin nodding home from close by the penalty spot after a delicious cross.
Colls had lacked vim and pep in the opening half but were a lot better after a half-time tongue-lashing.
It was thoroughly deserved when Joe Piggott equalised with his first Colls goal after a canny Aaron Dwyer set-up.
Piggott then almost bent in an equally good second, the post having the final say on that effort.
It was a reprieve for the Scholars and they took full advantage to steal the points in added time when Max Chimenes finished from millimetres out to fully punish some Colls hesitancy in defence. It was probably his only touch of the game but what a touch!
To sum up, Colls can consider themselves unlucky not to continue their unbeaten run.
Their display after the break was excellent given their first-half inertia.
Danny Lambert was the heartbeat of the team in the middle of the park and Piggott’s goal will surely not be his last of the campaign.
Statistically, when Michael Clegg’s team suffer defeat it is likely to be by the margin of 2-1, this being the fifth consecutive reversal by that margin.
This Saturday, Trafford visit the Dreams2Reality Stadium in the league (3pm).
