Workington Reds cruised into the Integro League Cup third round with a 2-0 home win against league rivals Mossley.
It was a chilly night at Borough Park, with 180 hardy fans making their way down for the second-round tie, but Reds started hot with a goal inside three minutes.
David Symington, who scored two in the 4-0 league win against Prescot Cables three days earlier, swung in a teasing cross with his right foot and Charlie Bowman rose to nod it into the far corner with Mossley goalkeeper Theo Roberts wrongfooted and unable to keep it out.
They almost doubled their lead in the 14th minute when a corner sent into the box deflected off a huddle of bodies but the visiting goalkeeper was able to claim the bouncing ball.
The away side were pressing for a leveller and they had an opportunity from a corner when Gary Gee fired a powerful shot which deflected behind.
The resulting delivery should have been put away by Simon Lenighan but was floated into the arms of the grateful Atkinson after 20 minutes.
Reds wrestled the game under control and they had an opportunity to increase their lead from a corner after 32 minutes but, as the ball fell to the feet of Jordan Little, the centre back curled his shot wide.
Jamie Rainford thought he had found the goal the visitors were looking for in a second half of few chances when he bent a shot towards the top right corner but Atkinson rose to tip it around the post in the 69th minute.
Nathan Waterston was introduced to keep the away side occupied at the other end with Mossley pressing for an equaliser.
And although Reds had to wait until the 82nd minute for the break they wanted, Waterston gave them a two-goal cushion when he beat the offside trap to run onto a threaded through ball, bore down on goal and finished smartly.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here