LITTLE Lever set the pace at the top of the Premier Division after defeating defending champions Old Boltonians 4-2 at Chapeltown.

Assistant manager Andrew Fane believed their front four have been in inspired form so far this season and they certainly impressed on Saturday.

Matt Woods opened the scoring after being put through one-on-one with the keeper before Leon Farrimond doubled their lead.

But the visitors let Steve Eccleshare's side back into it with a goal by Sean Rushton and then substitute Darren Dalton added a penalty.

Lane said: "We were coasting at 2-0 but we were a bit hesitant and they scored before a dubious penalty was awarded.

"I could not really see what the problem was and why it was given.

"But Leon scored from a header from a corner on 70 minutes to make it 3-2 before Kieron Yates wrapped it up in the last few minutes.

"Our front four of Matt Woods, Ben Wells, Kieron Yates and Leon Farrimond were great and Old Bolts could not deal with them.

"We have had a good start to the season but the lads really stepped it up against the champions.

"Our keeper Steve Housley had a great performance as he made a few saves to keep Old Bolts out.

"It was our best performance of the season but have still got a long way to go and are taking it each game as it goes."

Meanwhile, Eccleshare heaped the praise on Little Lever's performance.

He said: "Everyone has looked at it being a disappointing result but I don't.

"For the first 15 minutes both sides were battling and cancelling each other out.

"Their goalkeeper has made five point-blank saves and if any of those go in we may not have been talking about a defeat.

"I am the manager of the inter-league team this year and I have asked for him to be released to play along with some of the other Little Lever players.

"I said to the lads that they are the champions and they have made their bed as being the best team last season and lots of teams want to beat up.

"Hopefully it can be a wake-up call for the side and all credit to Little Lever they deserved to win."