LEE Buckley criticised Little Lever's attitude after they crashed to a 2-0 defeat at home to lowly Old Mancunians in the Premier Division on Saturday.

The third-placed Mytham Road outfit had been looking to build on the previous week's derby victory against Tottington United, but Buckley admits the feeling in the changing room ahead of the game against eighth-placed Old Mancunians just wasn't right.

And the boss was annoyed his players did not heed his and assistant manager Andy Fane's warning following a 4-3 home defeat to relegation-threatened North Walkden in December.

"Because of their league position I think the lads thought it would be an easy game and a walkover for us," he said.

"The attitude just wasn't correct. Sometimes you get that feeling when you go into the changing rooms.

"There wasn't enough enthusiasm at training this week and sometimes that sets the tone for the game.

"Andy and I did warn the players that what happened against North Walkden could happen again, and unfortunately it did."

Little Lever, who were without injured Matt Woods and Phil Regan following his sending off against Tottington, were the better side for the opening 20 minutes but Old Mancunians took the lead with a great solo effort just before half time.

A change around at the break saw Little Lever enjoy the better of the early stages of the second half before Old Mancunians got back on top and sealed the victory with their second goal.

And after enjoying much of the possession and creating the most chances, Buckley was left disappointed with the defeat.

"We had chances and Scott Bingham put some good crosses in the box but we just couldn't get on the end of any of them," said Buckley.

"Ben Wells went through one-on-one and their keeper made a great save.

"If we had scored in that period of pressure I think it would have been a walk over for us.

"Unfortunately we allowed them to get a hold of the game

"We played three up front in the last 20 minutes but despite the pressure we just couldn't find the back of the net.

"We also had a couple of controversial offside decisions against us which didn't help.

"Unfortunately it just didn't go our way again."

Little Lever, who are 14 points behind league leaders Failsworth Dynamos, host second-placed local rivals Old Boltonians on Saturday.

Steve Eccleshare's side saw their match at Chaddertonians postponed due to a waterlogged pitch last weekend, but Buckley is not expecting the lack of games to effect them.

"Old Bolts are a fantastic team and it's a big game," he said.

"They are the current champions and for me they will win the title again this season.

"You always want to beat your local rivals and put on a good performance against them.

"We will have to pick ourselves up and get ourselves on our game and see if we can do something against them.

"Andy and I can prepare all we like but once the players are out on the pitch, it's up to them and there is nothing more we can do."