LAPSES in concentration proved costly for Horwich St Mary's Victoria as they threw away a winning position to fall to a 4-3 defeat at Premier Division leaders Old Boltonians.

Hot on the heels the previous weekend's 5-1 derby defeat at home to Blackrod Town, it was a desperately disappointing – not to mention treacherous, thanks to Storm Brian – day for Horwich manager Danny Holmes, though he feels his players warranted some reward for their efforts.

"We definitely deserved a point," he told The Bolton News. "I felt we were well in with a chance all the way through the game.

"We just lost our way in the second half and virtually gave Old Bolts their goals, you can't afford to do that when you're playing the leaders, and probably the team that are favourites to win the Premier Division.

"We had a chance to snatch a draw right at the end, we had a decent shout for a penalty for handball, and then Hugo Rodriguez hit the inside of the post and the ball rolled right across the goal-line.

"It was very close to going over but from where we were we can't say for certain."

Old Bolts took the lead before Horwich hit back, Martyn Naylor finishing well after a good move with Dean Spencer heavily involved, before Jonny Shacklady put the visitors ahead at half time.

But, with conditions worsening throughout the second half, Old Bolts took control, equalising after a fine save from under-18s Charlie Fletcher proved for nothing, the visiting forwards reacting quickest to pounce and level at 2-2.

Two further goals without reply saw Old Bolts chalk up their sixth win in seven league games this season, a victory that means they stay two points ahead of Roach Dynamos with a game in hand.

Rob Taylor netted twice for the leaders, with Matt McLellan and Lucas Gaynor also on the mark. There was a final goal for Horwich but although Rodriguez's strike set up a nail-biting finale they could not force a fourth goal to snatch a draw.

While Steve Eccleshare's Old Boltonians prepare to continue their defence of the Lancashire FA Amateur Cup at Barrow Celtic this Saturday, Horwich – 11th in the Premier Division table – are hoping they can build on their home form, something that had disappointed Holmes so far this term.

"We haven't clicked in our home games but I'm encouraged by the performance against Old Bolts and hopefully we can kick on and get back on track this Saturday at home to Rochdale St Clement's," added Holmes.

"There were some good performances on Saturday, not least from Charlie [Fletcher], who has come in for the last two games and played well. He made a great save from a free kick, the rest of the team just didn't react quickly enough and they could make it 2-2.

"The main thing after such a poor performance and losing to our most local of rivals, Blackrod, was that they did so well in terrible conditions against Old Bolts, it was quite encouraging.

"We should be higher in the division than we are with the squad we have but we feel the signs are promising for the rest of the season."

Blackrod Town suffered their second league defeat of the season, a 1-0 loss at home to Mostonians meaning their opponents drew level on points.

Blackrod's goal difference of plus-six means they stay ahead of Mostonians in third place.