Atherton Collieries fell to a Friday night defeat at Runcorn Linnets to complete a trifecta of 2-1 defeats in a cut-throat six days.

Linnets and Colls fixtures are always interesting affairs and the latest edition did not disappoint.

Four key incidents ultimately settled affairs and, frustratingly for the Stripes, they lost all four of those moments.

Proceedings commenced with both sides looking solid and basically cancelling each other out.

Of course, things were always going to open up and Colls should have been awarded a penalty. Eden Gumbs challenged Kielen Adams on the outskirts of the box who went down under duress. Granted not the heavy contact that occurred for the Wythenshawe penalty last time out, but unequivocally enough. The referee was having none of it, though, and it was a real let off for ‘Corn. The Colls spot-kick award total for the season is frustrating one in 33 games.

Colls sent up the cavalry for a corner and the ball landed at the feet of Danny Lafferty in an acre of space and the goal at his mercy. He let rip and the Colls faithful, just yards away, were already celebrating but somehow the effort was slashed wide and a gilt-edged chance had gone.

Linnets immediately charged up field and Luke Wall smashed it into the top right-hand corner.

The majority of the Colls support were still discussing how they were not one up and not really focusing on the action after 60 seconds of mayhem.

Within minutes of the restart, the eagle-eyed referee stopped play to the bemusement of those in attendance and proceeded to give Adams a straight red card. Apparently it was for an off-the-ball incident involving Callum Grogan. Six of one, half a dozen of the other was the word on the street.

The centre forward traipsed off with potential three-match ban and a seriously ripped shirt - yet more frustration

The hosts now had the impetus and controlled possession.

Colls, to their credit, defended well but could not stop Lewis Doyle increasing the lead. His spectacular volley from distance gave Sol Honor no chance whatsoever. Doyle joins the burgeoning list of ex-Colls brethren who return to haunt their old side.

Colls never stopped trying and scored deep into stoppage time. The ball bobbled over Linnets keeper Bailey Passant’s foot and Aaron Dwyer was in the right place to tap into the empty net. A consolation but it was Dwyer’s ninth of the season to take sole lead in the goalscoring stakes.

A punishing and hopefully character-building six days for Colls saw three narrow defeats and a duo of dismissals which will see the two primary strikers out for most of February.

On a positive note, the Collieries return to the Dreams2Reality Stadium on Saturday, when Hanley Town are the opposition (3pm).