ATHERTON Collieries progressed to the third round of the Lancashire FA Challenge Trophy with a late victory against Chorley at the Skuna Stadium.

Jay Fitzmartin was once again the hero for the black and whites, his well-taken strike in the 85th minute handing the Magpies a second straight exit at the hands of Colls.

It was a classic ‘game of two halves’ with Andy Preece’s youthful Chorley side taking the game to Colls before the break, with Nico Defreitas-Hansen kept busy in goal.

Colls had the young American keeper to thank on the half-hour mark, his superb save to deny Andy Owens sparing the blushes of Joel Amado who had gifted away possession.

Brad Cooke’s side came out firing after the break and Clive Smith really should have given his side the lead, blazing over after running onto Gaz Peet’s cut-back on the far side.

There was another let-off for Chorley moments later, young keeper Kier Barry getting caught in no-mans land, with Arran Pettifer and Aaron Smith both unable to smuggle the ball over the line.

With the tie headed for penalties, up stepped the man for the moment Jay Fitzmartin, latching onto a sliced kick from Kier Barry and expertly finishing over the stranded keeper to give Colls the lead late-on.

Despite a healthy amount of stoppage time, Colls defended their narrow advantage well, with Nico Defreitas-Hansen once called into action again to deny a piledriver from Billy Whitehouse in the dying seconds.

Colls are next in action on Saturday as they make the trip to the seaside to face Whitby. 3pm kick off.