OLD Boltonians manager Steve Eccleshare heaped praise on his coaching staff after Saturday’s 4-1 victory away to reigning Premier League champions Prestwich maintained their impressive momentum.

A freaky hat-trick of one-on-one goals by Sean Rushton and a Darren Dalton goal put the Chapeltown men 4-0 up before Prestwich – who just edged out Old Bolts to the title the last two years – grabbed a consolation from the penalty spot.

Prestwich, who are down in 10th, flew out of the blocks and would have taken the lead but for a magnificent point-blank reflex save by Josh Bramwell on 25 minutes.

That spurred the visitors, and in particular Lee Worswick, to step up a gear, the skilful winger having a big hand in Rushton’s virtually carbon copy goals which came in the 30th, 35th and 43rd minutes.

Dalton smashed the fourth into the roof of the net on the hour before being sent off for kicking the ball away, which earned him a second yellow.

And after Ash Blake pulled one back, Paul Wheatcroft had a penalty saved.

“It was a massive win,” said Eccleshare. “They were scarred by losing to us earlier in the season and came out like a wounded animal.

“If our guys hadn’t been so strong they would have turned us over.

“Josh’s save at 0-0 was the game-changer and then Lee turned into a superstar. But so much credit has to go to our coaching staff – Phil Eccleshare, Rowan Crook and Ryan Ardwidge – for making the team spirit something really special this season.”

Old Bolts are one point behind leaders Mostonians with three games in hand, while our other local sides languish at the opposite end of the table.

Atherton’s Howe Bridge Mills are top of the lowly quartet in fourth bottom after beating Bolton side Castle Hill 3-2 at home.

Alex Luby converted Martin Parkinson’s pull back to put Mills ahead on 15 minutes.

Mark Gordon levelled from Carl Henry’s pass 15 minutes later before Luby fired into the top corner after another driving run by Parkinson just before the interval.

Mills made it 3-1 when Chris Lowe scored from the penalty spot 20 minutes from time and Henry pulled one back for second-bottom Hill when he knocked in Sam Brooks’ looping header from close range.

Little Lever climbed one place to 12th when they extended their unbeaten league run to four games with their first win of the season at Rochdale St Clements.

A double substitution by manager Lee Buckley straight after his side went 1-0 down on 50 minutes proved a masterstroke.

He sent on Scott Bingham at right wing and veteran Mark Brown up front and both scored with 10 minutes remaining.

A raking diagonal pass from left back by Andy Bingham was blasted in first time by his brother Scott before Brown went on a mazy run inside the box before slotting home.

“I can’t pick a man of the match because they all were,” said Buckley.

“We’ve been playing well but maybe getting that elusive first win will take the pressure off and we can move up the league.”

Horwich Victoria remain bottom after a 1-1 home draw with Old Mancunians.

Central midfielder Luke Skelly equalised on 30 minutes when he cut in from the right and hit a super strike from 25 yards.

“We’re getting better each week,” said manager Danny Holmes. “Even though we are bottom we have a tight squad and I’m happy with the way we are playing – although I’ll be happier when we’re off the bottom.”