THEY may be in desperate need of favours from elsewhere but Old Boltonians refuse to give up hope on capturing the Premier Division title.

Old Bolts have led the way for most of the campaign but with one game to go – against Roach Dynamos tonight – they need table-toppers Mostonians to lose their remaining games at Prestwich and Horwich St Marys Victoria.

Should Steve Eccleshare’s side beat Roach and their rivals lose both games Old Bolts will take the crown on goal difference.

They collected their 17th league win of the season on Saturday, though they made hard work of beating Old Blackburnians 4-3.

“We’ve been nobbled for injuries in the last few weeks but just had to get on with it,” said Eccleshare. “And we were playing well on Saturday, leading 2-0 at half time after Matt McLellan and Lucas Gaynor scored, and we knew we had to make some changes, we’ve played a lot of games in a short space of time.

“Then we ended up 3-2 down with 15 minutes to go.

“Fortunately, Jeff Taylor equalised after there had been a ricochet in their box, and Tom Curtin came up with a late winner, so we came through in the end.

“One lad who was absolutely outstanding for us on Saturday was Jamie Darby. He was man of the match and he’s put in some great performances at centre-back. If he carries on as he is doing he could be a difference-maker for us.”

As for their title chances, Eccleshare will not discount the possibility of Mostonians returning home from their remaining matches without any reward, leaving the door open for his team to snatch top spot back.

“We need a couple of favours from other teams, obviously,” he added. “But they are two away games and I don’t think Mostonians tend to do as well away from the Whitebank Stadium, so there’s half a chance for us. If they lose at Prestwich on Wednesday that could put the pressure on for the Horwich game on Saturday.

“And if we don’t win the title it’s still not been a bad season for us, we’ve finished first or second in the league every season for the last seven years and we’ve already beaten last season’s points total so it’s not been too bad.”

Elsewhere, Little Lever completed their season with a 2-2 draw at Rossendale.

Jack Coop scored both goals for Little Lever, who finished the game with 10 men after a red card for Mike Jones 15 minutes from time.

Blackrod Town were defeated 2-1 at Prestwich and, in Division One, Bolton Wyresdale took a point from a goalless draw at home to Rochdale St Clements Reserves.