COLWYN Bay missed the chance to move into the top eight after suffering a late 2-1 home loss to Atherton Collieries.

The Seagulls would have moved to within two places of the Evo-Stik Northern playoff places had they managed to hold on for three points, and they will look to put things right in their trip to Ramsbottom United on Tuesday (7.45pm).

Manager Alan Morgan, said: “We weren’t as bright and as sharp as we have been and we didn’t look on it – and that is a worrying thing for me.

“We’ve got to be on it every single week and if we are not we don’t win games.

“We’ve switched off a bit for their first goal and we’ve got to be better at finishing off chances. If we get the second goal we win the game.

“Should there have been a red card when their defender on the goal line keeps the ball out with his hand? I’m not going to harp on about that. I’m a great believe that if you work hard you get what you deserve and today we didn’t work hard enough as a group – and that has to change.”

Despite the eventual result, it was the home side who began the brighter and they were rewarded with the opening goal on 13 minutes through an Astley Mullholland penalty.

The hosts missed a host of chances to double their advantage throughout the majority of the contest, and Bay were made to pay for their inefficiency in-front of goal on 79 minutes when Ian Griffiths levelled proceedings at the far post.

Things got even worse for Morgan’s side soon after when Atherton’s Ben Hardcastle snatched victory with a screamer from 25 yards with virtually the last action of the game.

Following Tuesday’s clash, the Seagulls make the trip to Goole AFC on Saturday (3pm).