BOLTON Men's first team remain in eighth place of the North West Hockey League Division Two after losing 4-1 at home to Bowdon 3rds at Harper Green.

The men now have 14 points from 13 games but have a game in hand on their closest rivals as they look to stay clear of the relegation places.

The second team, struggling at the foot of their division, lost 3-1 at Ormskirk, where midfielder Simon Coles struck the consolation goal after the home side, leading 1-0 at half time, scored twice in quick succession deep into the second half.

The 2nds go into the final six games, with only one away fixture remaining, needing to find a consistent winning formula to avoid taking the wooden spoon.

Bolton 3rds came from behind to earn an impressive 1-1 draw at Liverpool University.

Good saves from Chris Sharrock and clean defensive work from Richie Turner and Sean Carney frustrated Liverpool while Johnny O'Hara and Andy Hill impressed in midfield.

The Students took the lead shortly after half time but O'Hara scored his second in two weeks to secure a share of the spoils.

Chris Williams scored a hat-trick as Bolton 4ths came from a goal down to beat City of Manchester 4ths 6-1.

Bolton were grateful for some good defending by Tom Briscoe before making their presence felt in attack, Chris Lord opening the scoring from a penalty corner.

Robert Lord repeated the feat soon after then laid on the chance from which Tom Mair made it 3-1 at half time.

Williams was the star of the second half, scoring his first ever hat-trick - rounded off by the goal of the game, featuring Lord and Mair in the build-up and ending with a shot into the roof of the net.

Bolton Ladies first team paid for a slow start when they lost 4-3 at home to Didsbury Greys.

Trailing 2-1 at half time they put in a strong and spirited second-half performance but ran out of time when they were pushing for an equaliser.