Colne 1 Bacup Borough 0

Colne came out on top in the Lancashire derby against Bacup Borough at the DM Pies Stadium on Tuesday night. A single goal separated the two teams at the final whistle but in truth the Reds could easily have had a more comfortable win if they had put away their chances.

The game began at a fast pace and Bacup threatened with a good move that was cut out by a great tackle by Saul Guffogg. And as play switched to the other end, Colne had appeals for a penalty waved aside as Jack Banks was brought down in the Bacup area after a good build-up by Miles Storey and Luke Stowe.

A Bacup cross was headed just wide of the far post before Colne's next attack saw Jamie Walker break clear on the left wing and his cross found Storey's head in front of goal but Bacup's keeper William Blake made a great save to push his effort over the bar.

Colne pushed forward at every opportunity and Stowe saw his shot from a half clearance hit the far post in a crowded Bacup area after 22 minutes. Two minutes later, Colne were awarded a penalty when Barney Wiggin was tripped in the area by a desperate Bacup defence. But the spot kick was blasted high over the goal by Colne's captain Alex-Ray Harvey.

On 35 minutes, a high ball into the Colne area reached Tyler Williams but Colne keeper Harry Turner claimed the ball as he was about to shoot. And a minute later, a Bacup corner created chances in the Reds goalmouth and Jake Townsend fired just past the far post as the ball fell to him.

Three minutes into the second half, Colne came close when Storey's cross from the bye line reached Walker in front of goal but he fired his shot just over the bar. And as the Reds continued to attack, Banks' cross from the left was laid back by Wiggin for Stowe but his shot was blocked in the goalmouth. On 52 minutes, Colne took the lead when Storey's cross found Wiggin in the middle and he found the net with a well struck right foot shot.

Bacup came back strongly and had a period of pressure on the Colne goal but the Reds defended well. And on the hour, Colne almost doubled their lead when Storey's through ball released Walker into the Bacup area and his shot was turned over the bar with a great save by Blake. From the resulting corner, the ball was half cleared to Sam Lloyd but he blasted a shot over the goal from a great chance.

Bacup still posed a threat and on 79 minutes a high cross from the left wing bounced on top of the Colne crossbar and was cleared by the Colne defence. But the Reds had the majority of the attacking play in the closing stages and ran out deserved winners in a hard fought contest.