A SUPER second-half performance by Old Boltonians earned them a 3-2 victory in the Premier Division top-of-the-table showdown at North Walkden.

Sixteen points out of a possible 18 saw the Chapeltown men go a point clear at the summit, but equally importantly six clear of Prestwich who pipped them to the title for the last two seasons.

North Walkden had the better of the first half and drew first blood before Roger Pike levelled when he lifted the ball over the goalkeeper in the one-on-one.

The home side again took the lead before a half-time double substitution paid dividends for Bolts.

Manager Steve Eccleshare sent on Lucas Gaynor and Dave Warburton who made a huge impact as Old Bolts dominated the second period.

Centre half and man-of-the-match James Kinsler levelled with a looping header into the far corner as the ball was swung in following a corner on the hour.

And Warburton smashed in the winner 10 minutes from time from 25 yards to clinch all three points.

“North Walkden play good, fast, aggressive football and we didn’t only have to match them, we had to better them,” said Eccleshare. “And we did in the second half.

“All the players stepped up to the plate and deserved the win. We think we should have had two penalties at 2-2 before Dave (Warburton) decided to take a chance from long range and score the winner.”

The rest of the Premier Division table does not make for good reading from a local perspective with the bottom three places occupied by local sides and Howe Bridge Mills fifth bottom.

The latter could easily have taken something from their trip to eighth-placed Old Mancunians but a failure to take their chances was largely responsible for a 4-2 defeat.

Two goals down at half-time, goals from Brett Farnworth and Rick Trew made it all square before the hosts went ahead a minute later and completed the scoring in the last minute.

Little Lever’s 100 per cent losing record continued with a 3-1 defeat at ninth-placed Mostonians where striker Adam Alwin scored the last goal of the game for the Mytham Road men.

“We had chance after chance and I’m glad the holiday season is over so we can get something like a settled side,” said manager Lee Buckley.

One place above them on goal difference are Horwich Vics who are also pointless after a 3-1 home defeat to Bury GSOB, Dean Spencer scoring the final goal of the game for the Horwich men.

Castle Hill are three points and one place higher after losing 2-0 at home to sixth-placed Failsworth Dynamos.

In the First Division, Farnworth Town suffered their first defeat of the season with a 5-0 home setback against Wardle Town.

Goalless as half-time, Farnworth were hit by two goals in the first three minutes of the second half before missing a penalty and conceding three penalties which were all scored.