BOLTON Lads and Girls Club overcame an identity crisis but were pegged back by Govan Athletic in Division Two of the Manchester League.

A chaotic start to the day at Hacken Lane saw BLGC borrow inactive Bolton County’s strip shortly before kick-off as their own kits were locked in the boot of a player’s car.

With changes to the hosts’ personnel too they struggled to get going and on the half-hour mark they fell behind when James Barlow lost a long ball in the sun and the visitors capitalised through James Badrock. Adil Ajmal added a second goal before half time.

Though their heads had been down at the break, it took BLGC just five minutes of the second half to get back on level terms, Shane Birtles and Joe Handley scoring.

Chances continued to fall their way until Ross McDonough, in his second start of the season, scored from Alex Tresnan’s delivery to put Lads and Girls Club 3-2 ahead with 15 minutes left.

For all their late pressure BLGC failed to seal victory with a fourth goal and Govan snatched a point when winger Ajmal scored his second of the game with three minutes to go.

“We’re obviously disappointed to concede late on and we should be able to manage that situation and have three points,” said BLGC manager Ryan Standring.

“However, it was nice to see some of the lads return from injury like Matty Williams, Ross McDonough and Joe Handley.

“We showed good spirit to come from two down but should never have given away the goals to start with. We also know that this tilts the league in Altrincham and Tintwistle’s favour. They still have to play each other twice and it’s a tough league so we’ll continue to fight until the end.”

BLGC, who lead the division but have played more games than their nearest rivals, go to bottom side Hindley Juniors this Saturday.

In the Lancashire Amateur League, Little Lever kept up the pressure on leaders Old Boltonians with a 3-1 derby win at Horwich St Mary’s Victoria.

With a shortage of players Little Lever player-manager Craig Bingham put himself in goal as they took to the field without any substitutes.

“We didn’t have to get out of second gear, I only had about two shots to save,” said Bingham, whose side took the points with Ryan Talbot’s double and one from promoted second XI player Sam Santley.

“There were a few good results for us, Mostonians beat Old Mancs and Rossendale only drew.

“We had a double header and our reserves beat Horwich’s reserves 5-1 too, so all in all it has been a good weekend for us.”

Elsewhere, Blackrod Town were 4-0 winners at home to Bury GSOB and in Division One Bolton Wyresdale were beaten 1-0 at Ashtonians.

In the West Lancashire League Premier Division Nathan Monson hit a hat-trick as Tempest United beat high-flying Fulwood Amateurs 6-1.

Sam Parkinson, John Rothwell and Tom Booth were also on the mark for sixth-placed Tempest.

Turton looked to have sealed a win at Euxton Villa when Kieron Sisson put them 1-0 ahead with five minutes to go. However, they conceded an equaliser in stoppage time.

There were wins in Division One for CMB – who beat GSK Ulverston Rangers 2-1 – and Stoneclough, 1-0 victors at Mill Hill St Peters. Eagley drew 3-3 at home to Lytham Town.

Ladybridge regained top spot in DIvision Two with a 3-1 win at Dalton United.