Oldham sunk by nine-man Whalley Range

FOOTBALL:WHALLEY Range showed the qualities that have won them the Lancashire and Cheshire League Premier Division title for the past five years as they defeated visitors AFC Oldham.

The hosts conceded a penalty and lost their goalkeeper to a red card early on, allowing Oldham to take a deserved lead. Range drew level before the break.

It looked like curtains for Range when they were reduced to nine men midway through the second half, as John Murphy was sent off for denying a goal-scoring opportunity.

Oldham were unable to take advantage of their superiority as Range created the better chances against the odds, taking the lead with a clinical finish from Dan Hayes. They kept up the pressure with Connor Downes adding a third for a remarkable 3-1 victory.

This leaves Range a point behind leaders Rochdalians, who had few problems overcoming Newton 6-1.

In Division One, Santos were thumped 7-1 at Tintwistle Athletic.

In the Manchester Amateur Cup competition, Oldham Victoria won a 10-goal thriller against Eagle

seconds by 6-4.