LITTLE Lever boss Matt Barnes admitted his side had to be patient to overcome Bolton Wyresdale in the Lancashire FA Amateur Cup on Saturday.

Lever won 2-0 on home turf thanks to second-half goals from Martin Love and Matty Woods to progress to the third round.

Barnes conceded his team were not at their best and had to thank keeper Danny Holland for a first-half penalty save which kept it level at half time.

But once Love scored on the hour mark, the hosts took control.

Barnes told The Bolton News: “They put up a decent fight in the first half and I think some of our lads maybe took it for granted it would be easy looking at their position in the league below.

“Danny saved a penalty for us that kept us level and then patience paid off when Martin and Matty scored to send us through.

“It was good to get a second win and hopefully we can get another against old Blackburnians this weekend to send us into our toughest test to date against leaders Failsworth Dynamos the week after.”

Old Boltonians joined Little Lever in Round Three after an impressive 3-2 win at Preston Wanderers.

It was an away victory that delighted boss Steve Eccleshare who admitted it was good to see smiles back on the faces of his players at full time.

Lee Worswick gave the visitors the lead on the half hour and Matt McClellan doubled their advantage on 65 minutes. he was then unlucky to see a fine overhead effort wrongly ruled out after it appeared to cross the line.

An unfortunate own goal from Tom Allcroft gave Preston a lifeline but Lucas Gaynor hit a third for Old Bolts on 80 minutes and despite conceding a consolation in added time, they held on for the win.

Eccleshare said: “It was a big win for us and a good day.

“It was a hard-fought game against a team who always do well in the Amateur Cup.

“Hopefully we can take that form into the league this weekend now.”

Blackrod Town’s cup hopes are over after they lost 2-1 at Winstanley St Aidans, Connor Loftus with their goal, while Bolton United came unstuck 2-0 at Lancaster Rovers.

n In the Manchester League Division One, Breightmet United won 3-2 at home against Chapel Town, while Bolton County earned a point from a 2-2 draw at Altrincham Hale.