A brace a piece from Liam Atkinson and Will Procter saw Town go into late stages in a commanding position, before a Jack Arrowsmith cross found it's way into the Barlick goal by Blues defender.

It was unchanged line-up from the weekend, with the only squad change coming in the shape of Ben Trafford returning after his long term injury.

Town started the game like a house on fire.

Ashcroft's side created three chances in the opening five minutes.

The first shot of the game was from the half-way line via Josh Ashe, with the young midfielder spotting the goalkeeper off his line.

However the Barlick shot stopper Latham was able to gather it.

Jack Anderton then introduced himself from the right, cutting inside before flashing it wide.

Anderton then had another effort saved, before Latham managed to gather it at the second time of asking with Procter racing in.

Despite all the early Town pressure, it would be the home side to draw first blood.

Connor McAuley latched onto a chipped ball over the Town defence to round Charlie Brier and find the net.

However Town hit back instantly.

Not even a minute later, Atkinson reacted the fastest to stab the ball into the bottom left corner following a scramble after a Ryan McLean cross was headed down by Procter.

Town then turned the game on it's head 4 minutes later, as Procter galloped on a ball over the top from McLean and forced the ball past Latham to bag against his former side.

However on 27 minutes the game was level again.

Gareth Hill headed into the far corner after an inch perfect cross from the right hand side via Lewis Farmer.

Ashe found Atkinson as Town looked to create another instant response, but the forward's effort was parried away.

The game then had the first of a couple of flash points in quick succession.

Leighton Hewitt's firm shoulder barge down the right was met with a shove from Farmer.

The pair were then booked when it settled down.

McAuley then smashed it onto the post as the home side broke moments later.

Tempers then flared again.

A rash challenge from Luke Smith on Farmer was met by a kick out by the Barnoldswick man.

Smith was booked whilst Farmer recieved a straight red card.

Town then made their first change, with Smith unable to continue.

He was replaced by Oscar Wright.

Just before half time, Town retook the lead.

Procter cannoned a right footed effort in off the left post to put his side infront again.

Following two minutes of additional time, the referee called for the interval.

Just 7 minutes into the second 45, Atkinson found the bottom left corner from the edge of the box with his weaker foot to make it five.

The second enforced change for Town came soon after, with a hobbling Anderton replaced by Yuwi Dewan.

Procter then had two half chances to snatch his hat-trick.

The first as Town broke forward and his tame effort found the gloves of Latham.

The second as his cross/ shot dropped just the wrong side of the post.

Hewitt was then replaced by Jack Arrowsmith as Ashcroft went to his bench again.

The substitute was then immediately involved.

The flying winger drove down the right before cutting back and bending it goalwards.

After taking a slight nick off a Barlick defender, it wrong-footed the 'keeper and found the top corner.

A couple of minutes later and it was almost six.

Wright found himself in behind but could only fire it inches wide.

Ashe smashed a volley just wide with Town seemingly not content with just five.

Town then made their final chances, as Ben Trafford and Ethan Edmundson took the place of Ryan McLean and Ben Fletcher, both fantastic performances from them two.

Welcome back to Traff and Edo after long injury layoffs.

With the captain and his vice now off the pitch, the armband was taken by Atkinson.

After two added minutes the referee blew full time, confirming Town's rise back up to 11th place in the Premier Division.

A massive thank you for your support on a very, very cold night in Barnoldswick.

We now go again on Saturday 7th February when we travel to South Liverpool.

We are back at home on Saturday 14th February when we host Prestwich Heys at Inglewhite Road.

Once again, thank you for your incredible support tonight.

#UpTheRidge

The Goals

Barlick: McAuley (13'), Hill (27')

Longridge: Atkinson (14', 52'), Procter (18', 39'), Arrowsmith (73')

The Teams

Barlick: Latham, Hailwood, Jeanne, Beck, Barski, Ormrod, Gough, Farmer, Rowlands-Whiteoak, McAuley, Hill

Longridge: Brier, Hewitt (Arrowsmith 69'), Coar, Muir, McLean (Trafford 79'), Fletcher (Edmundson 79'), Smith (Wright 36'), Ashe, Anderton (Dewan 56'), Procter, Atkinson