STEVE Eccleshare hailed the character of his Old Boltonians players after their come-from behind victory in the Lancashire FA’s Bluefin Sports Insurance Amateur Cup semi-final.

Old Bolts reached the final with a thrilling 3-2 victory against Burnley Belvedere, despite falling behind in the first minute.

A brace from Darren Dalton, either side of a Tom Allcroft goal, was enough to see off their opponents but theymade hard work of it after conceding within 30 seconds.

“We had to weather the storm and early wind conditions and within 30 seconds we were 1-0 down,” said the manager.

“We got the wake-up we needed after going a goal down and the boys had to sweat it out from start to finish.”

Burnley’s fast start spurred Old Bolts and they drew level with a smart finish from Dalton, who scored with a low drive from just inside the Belvedere box.

It was an exciting match at Padiham FC but no further goals in the first half meant the teams were level at the break.

Eccleshare’s team-talk at half time clearly worked a treat as they got their noses in front within minutes of the restart, thanks to a powerful header from Allcroft.

With half an hour to play Dalton doubled his tally with an emphatic free-kick from the left, to give Bolts a commanding lead.

Burnley reduced the deficit to 3-2 with a penalty but it was not enough to force extra time as Bolts saw out victory to book their place in the prestigious final.

Eccleshare was pleased with his squad’s mental strength to come back after going a goal down early on, and come out deserving winners.

“Credit to the lads for not giving up,” he added. “I felt our performance merited the victory.

“But that will all count for nothing if we lose the final so I don’t want us to get carried away.”

Hurlston Hall take on Southport and Ainsdale Amateurs on Wednesday in the other lsst-four tie with the final scheduled for the County Ground in Leyland on March 15.