HORWICH St Mary’s Victoria joint manager Danny Holmes was delighted with his side’s display as they won the Lancashire Amateur League Premier Division derby against Old Boltonians.

Holmes’ team were dominant throughout against an old Bolts side missing five of their regular starting line-up.

But they still had to come from behind to make home advantage count, skipper Danny Mills netting the all-important third goal in the last minute.

Horwich started sharpest and Jonny Shacklady saw two good efforts saved inside the opening quarter of an hour.

But it would be third-time lucky for the Horwich man when good work down the left saw Junior Kamara cross and Shacklady convert with a low shot.

It was a deserved lead but on 30 mins it was level when an Old Bolts free kick was diverted past his own keeper by Shacklady.

Five minutes into the second half, a harsh penalty was awarded against Horwich centre-back Rosi Ellison and David Owen edged Old Bolts ahead.

But as the visitors tired, Horwich pounced, levelling through Aaron Thorpe on 75 minutes and then Mills struck the winner late on.

Holmes told The Bolton News: “It was a good game and a good performance from us.

“The performances have not been where we have wanted of late even though we have been getting the results but this was more like it.

“Jonny scored a good goal and Aaron’s equaliser was a great finish.

“We started sharply and I think Old Bolts would agree the best team won, albeit we had to be patient after going behind and making a couple of changes.

“I thought the penalty was harsh as it was more of a coming together than a bad foul for me.

“We made a couple of changes and kept plugging away and we got the winner we deserved when Alex Smith cut the ball back for Danny to score.”

Old Bolts boss Steve Eccleshare had no complaints and admitted his much-changed team ran out of steam in the final 20 minutes.

He added: “We competed but we were missing five big players which didn’t help.

“We haven’t had a game for a couple of weeks so we were behind on match fitness.

“It was always going to be a big ask with a changed team against a Horwich side who are one of the better teams in the league.

“We were second best but did the best we could under the circumstances.

“We know we are a good side when everyone is available and hopefully we will show that in another tough game against joint leaders Failsworth Dynamoes on Saturday.

“There are a lot of good teams in the league this year so points will be dropped – the champions could lose four or five games this year which is unusual.”

Horwich are level on points with Failsworth at the top while Old Bolts are fifth after their second loss of the campaign.

Little Lever are fourth after they drew 2-2 at home to third-placed Mostonians.

Blackrod Town are one point behind Old Bolts in sixth after a 3-3 home draw against Howe Bridge Mills on Saturday.

Meanwhile, in Division One, Bolton Wyresdale lost 2-1 at Ashtonians and Old Bolts Reserves drew 2-2 at home to Prestwich.

* In the Manchester League, Bolton County hosted Breightmet United in the Murray Shield and went through after a 2-1 victory.