FC United were crowned champions for a second successive season in emphatic style.

The Rebels were in celebratory mood as they ran riot in front of 2,249 supporters at Gigg Lane.

Karl Marginson's side stretched their unbeaten run to 22 games and went 14 points clear of the North West Counties Division One table with three games left - and took a step closer to completing a league and cup double.

The breakaway club made light work of Rovers, who had only lost once in their last seven games, after Rhodri Giggs' ninth minute opener.

The visitors hit back less than 60 seconds later when Ian Berry rifled home, but that was as good as it got for Roy Sweeney's team.

LR skipper Rob Hope sliced into his own net on 19 minutes before Dave Brown's 35yards drive made it three two minutes later.

Atherton's David Derefaka headed against the crossbar before United increased their advantage four minutes before half-time when Nicky Platt converted from the penalty spot.

After the break, Rob Nugent scored on 65 minutes, substitute Dave Chadwick headed a sixth nine minutes later and Stuart Rudd's 44th goal of the season in the last minute completed a miserable night for Atherton.

FC United 7 Atherton LR 1