AFTER his side got back to winning ways, Old Boltonians manager Steve Eccleshare says the hunger has returned to his squad.

Old Bolts beat Roach Dynamos 4-1 at the weekend to keep their noses in front at the top of the Premier Division table.

It was only the leaders’ first win in four matches since mid-January and Eccleshare is happy that they are back on track to land the title.

“We did have a big gap between us and the rest and that can lead to complacency and they eventually realised there was something they had to compete for again,” he said. “We’ve got a hunger back now, I noticed that on Saturday.

“They are enjoying their football again. We should take it over the run-in, we’ll just see what we can do.

“We had worked on trying to get our confidence back and we did start to look more like the team we are. It’s in our own hands now so it’s all down to us and if we look after our own business we’ll win the league.”

As well as battling Roach, Old Bolts had to contend with the unseasonably wintry conditions after switching the venue to Darwen Academy’s 3G surface.

Two goals and an assist from Sean Rushton saw them home and kept them a point ahead of this weekend’s opponents, second-placed Old Mancunians, who are a point behind but have played three more games.

Rushton turned in two Leon Farrimond corners in the first half, either side of Matt McLellan’s goal from Rushton’s through ball.

And, although Dynamos pulled one back in the second half, Rob Taylor sealed victory with Old Bolts’ fourth goal.

And the manager was delighted with their efforts in the freezing temperatures, particularly on the back of straight defeats to another of their challengers, Mostonians, who are third and three points off the pace but have a game in hand on the leaders.

Meanwhile Rossendale sit fifth but, with their game against Little Lever abandoned, they still have half of their 26 fixtures to fulfil, all of which makes for a hugely intriguing run-in.

“It was so cold up at Darwen,” said Eccleshare. “It was very difficult but we did play some good stuff and we took no prisoners against a good Roach team who will take points off a lot of teams before the end of the season.

“Rossendale will have to play every Saturday and the rest in midweeks. We still have to play them twice.

“With that many games left it should be difficult for them to be at their best and Carl Lever, who I think has been scoring all their goals, was sent off before their game was abandoned so if he’s out for three games that could help us.

“Mostonians are very good at home, there are a lot of teams fighting for points behind us.

“It’s difficult to say what’s going to happen from one week to the next. It is still anyone’s title. It’s in our hands but I think it’ll be an exciting run-in.

“The games will come thick and fast so if you can build some momentum you can get a lot of points quickly. It’s exciting, we’ve put the work in so hopefully we’ll start to see the rewards. I just hope we can get the job finished.”

n In the Manchester League, Bolton County took a big step towards Premier Division safety with a 2-1 win at home to East Manchester, with Liam Stewart and Alex Todd netting, but Bolton Lads and Girls Club’s Division Two title hopes suffered a blow with a 4-0 loss to Tintwistle Athletic.