MANAGER Phil Hodgkinson believes the Little Hulton Reds' defence was the decisive factor after they came out on top in their basement battle at Bolton Mets.

The two sides exchanged tries early in the game but the visitors never looked back after nudging their way in front with a second score and they pulled away to win 34-10.

Their third victory of the North West Men's League Division Three season ensured they completed the double over Bolton, moving two points clear of the Avenue Street side, who are rooted to the foot of the table.

"We played really well," said Hodgkinson.

"From one to 17 the boy were superb and deserved the victory.

"I think the way we defended as a team was the key, though."

Lee Parsons opened the scoring for Little Hulton in the opening minutes as he went over on the right wing.

Wesley Winder missed what was a tricky conversion but it was the only mistake with the boot he would make for the rest of the afternoon, adding five out of kicks after that.

The contest looked set to develop into a ding-dong battle when Mets replied with a try of their own as Adam Hardwick chased down a kick from Stephen Taylor to score under the sticks.

Hardwick pounced on the bouncing ball after a mistake from the Reds' defence, but while the winger went close on a couple more occasions the visitors were in no mood offer any more gifts.

After Taylor's conversion briefly put Bolton in front, the Reds took control of the game with two tries before the break.

Second rower Danny Jones scored the first after bursting through a tackle on the half-way line to run clear.

Then scrum half Karl McDonagh completed another breakaway try on the stroke of half time as Little Hulton went in 16-6 to the good.

They reeled off 18 more unanswered points at the start of the second half.

Left winger Davy Jones took advantage of some slack defending to run in a try directly from a scrum before some strong running allowed the Reds to add two more back-to-back tries.

Left centre Ross Cahill powered home the first and he was followed over the line by Parsons, who started and rounded off the Little Hulton scoring.

Hooker Michael Hargreaves restored a bit of pride for the Mets, diving over from close range right on the final whistle.

Despite watching his side fall to their 14th defeat in 16 games, coach Stuart Cooke was able to take some positives out of the performance.

He was pleased to see Bolton press their opponents hard throughout, forcing them into a brave rearguard action at times, only to be picked off by a number of breakaway tries.

"Adam Hardwick went close on a number of occasions," said Cooke.

"While Neil Walsh, who was voted man of the match by the Little Hulton coaches, and Ste Lowe constantly looked to take the ball forward.

"And Carl Henderson also impressed in his first outing at full-back."

Both sides have this weekend off but are back in action on September 5, when the Mets host sixth-placed Eccleston Lions and second-bottom Little Hulton travel to third-placed Blackpool Scorpions.