OLD Boltonians continued their quest for a second straight Premier Division title with a solid display at home to Bury GSOB.

Steve Eccleshare’s side got their revenge after losing to Bury in the Lancashire FA Amateur Cup on penalties, completing the double over them in the league with a 3-1 victory.

They went into the break 2-0 up after goals from Matt McLellan and James Kinsler.

And while Bury pulled one back five minutes into the second half Sean Rushton secured the points with a third goal seven minutes later.

“We have played Bury now three times this season so it is good to get them out of the way,” said Eccleshare.

“It was obviously disappointing to lose to Bury in the cup the way we did, but in a way I think that will help us.

“We made it to the quarter-final of the LFA Cup last season and that really set us back as we were playing catch-up with the number of games we fell behind in the league.

“The win on Saturday helped us open up a seven-point gap at the top of the table and now it is our rivals who are playing catch-up.”

McLellan’s opener came after just three minutes when a Rushton corner fell at his feet and he dispatched the ball into the bottom corner.

The game became congested into a midfield battle after that but Old Bolts doubled their advantage two minutes before the break when Kinsler headed home Lee Worswick’s corner.

Bury came out firing in the second half and scored on the counter attack to put the result in doubt.

But Rushton ensured there would be no frantic finish as he drilled a shot in to the bottom corner to restore Old Bolts’ two-goal cushion.

“Obviously the aim from the start of the season has been to try to repeat last year’s league and cup double, but we are the team that everyone wants to beat so it has been important to take it one game at a time,” added Eccleshare, whose side have won 10 and lost just one of their 11 league games so far this campaign.

“I thought Matt McLellan up front and Dave Warburton in the middle of the park really embodied what we want from our players against Bury.

“They both pressed really well and helped us to dictate the tempo of the game.

“So that is another one chalked off and we go again at Tyldesley United this weekend.”

Little Lever SC, in second, remain one of their main challengers for the title, but they dropped two points on Saturday after being held to a 2-2 draw at home to fifth-placed Mostonians.

Horwich St Mary’s Victoria remain in seventh place despite their game being postponed.