Storks boss frustrated despite draw with Colls

Kieron Pickup gave the Storks an 11th-minute lead after some goalmouth pinball.

He finally smashed the ball home after Dave Hankin’s cross was punched clear by the Colls keeper, only for Pickup to hit the post, before Sean Cookson’s shot deflected off the keeper and off a defender’s knees, back to Pickup.

The Storks had a series of chances to extend their lead before half-time, but Colls responded at the break, making three substitutions and switching to an attacking 4-2-4 formation.

Atherton got their reward nine minutes from time when Jordan Cover scored, but even then, Pickup had a chance to win it at the death as he went through one on one, but rolled his effort wide.

Storks boss Steve Wilkes said: “If you had said before the game we’d get a point, I’d have snapped you hands off, but we should have been 5-0 up at half-time.

“They put us under the cosh in the second half and finally got an equaliser, but Kieron went through at the end, and tried to give him the eyes and rolled it wide.

“He was disappointed afterwards, but at least he was in there to score again.

“We stopped the rot after four league defeats however, and we’ve got to win tonight at AFC Blackpool – we’ve not won since the middle of January.”

Wilkes’ son Zac plays for AFC, and he smiled: “He asked for a lift, but I’ve told him he can catch the train!

“It’s a big game and we need to beat them.

“Zac should be in the squad, but I’d rather he doesn’t play to be honest, it’s difficult. If we were mid-table, it wouldn’t be too bad, but we need to win.”