HORWICH St Mary’s Victoria put a poor first half behind them to keep their Premier Division title hopes alive against Whitworth Valley.

They were perhaps fortunate to turn around on level terms but four second-half goals gave them a 5-2 victory that maintains their bid to catch Failsworth Dynamos.

Horwich fell behind when a free kick from out wide curled in off the post. Glenn Matthews hit the bar and the post with long-range efforts, and Jordan Coop was denied by a fine save from the Valley keeper.

But it took an own goal to even up the scores, an unlucky Whitworth defender deflecting in a cross into the box.

After using all three changes at the break, Horwich were far better in the second half and took the lead 10 minutes after the restart through Matthews, who slotted in a square ball from Sulay Breux.

Johnny Shacklady curled in number three from outside the box, capitalising on a poor clearance from the keeper.

Whitworth pulled one back after a slip-up in the Horwich defence but the lively Nathan Ramsden scored on his debut, neatly rounding the keeper and sliding into an empty net.

Fifteen minutes from time, a fine solo effort from Matthews completed the scoring as he finished his driving run by smashing the ball into the top corner.

Joint manager Dave Walker said: “We weren’t at the races at all in the first half, we were second best in terms of possession and quality in a lacklustre display.

“In the second half the players responded to a change of formation, took control of the game and we looked a totally different side.”

Old Boltonians were also free-scoring as they were 6-1 winners at home to Oldham Hulmeians. Darren Dalton and Gary Peden each scored twice, with Matt McClellan and Rob Taylor also netting.

In Division One, Bolton Wyresdale’s Simon Griffiths and Kieran Rayner were in the goals but they suffered a 4-2 defeat at home to Hesketh Casuals.