Nantwich Town beaten 2-3 at home by Atherton Collieries

First-half - Jordan Hodkin shoots at goal (1)

Nantwich Town slipped to a home defeat in the wet and windy conditions against Atherton Collieries.

The Dabbers were always chasing the match, having slipped 0-1 behind before the break.

And despite levelling through Joel Connolly, they found themselves 1-3 down before a late consolation from Ben Hockenhull.

Before kick off both clubs lined up to stage applause on the anniversary of former Nantwich player Ryan Keen, who died aged just 20 in 1994.

Pre-match - a minutes applause to commemorate the anniversary of the tragic death of Nantwich player Ryan Keen (1) — Pre-match – a minute’s applause to commemorate the anniversary of the tragic death of Nantwich player Ryan Keen

Nantwich created some decent chances in the first half, with Callum Saunders and Andy Roxburgh causing the visitors problems.

Atherton’s Kennedy then hit the post on 29 minutes before a scramble in the box went narrowly wide of the Dabbers goal.

Six minutes later, the visitors did take the lead. Rodney Ajayi burst forward and hit a powerful drive into the far corner.

Nantwich almost levelled on 49 minutes when a Roxburgh cross found Byron Harrison but his header was comfortably saved.

The Dabbers did level though soon after when a Connolly corner was swung in and the flight deceived everyone and floated into the net without a touch.

First-half - Callum Saunders with a spectacular shot on goal (1) — First-half – Callum Saunders with a spectacular shot on goal

On 65 minutes, it was Nantwich’s turn to fail dealing with a corner, and Alex Doyle hooked it in to restore Atherton’s lead.

The Dabbers pressed for a second leveller, but were amazingly undone again in the 80th minute when a Samuel Sheridan corner also went directly in.

Second-half - third Atherton goal - Atherton captain Sam Sheridan's corner curls in (1) — Third Atherton goal – Atherton captain Sam Sheridan’s corner curls in

Hockenhull scored from a cross on 89 minutes to give Nantwich hope of a salvage operation, and they almost levelled in injury time but Harrison skied a good chance over the bar.

Alex Panter also had an opportunity in the 94th minutes but could not keep his effort down as the Dabbers threw everything at the Atherton defence.

The defeat leaves Nantwich in 11th place in Northern Premier Division West, but outside hopes of a play-off place are fading fast.

(Images courtesy of Jonathan White)