BOLTON Under-15s are out of the national ESFA Inter Association Trophy after narrowly going down 2-1 to defending champions Liverpool in their third round clash.

The local youngsters have hit top form this season at the Lieverpool Soccer Centre but they suffered a nightmare start when the Merseysiders opened the scoring after just two minutes.

Bolton must have thought they were in for a hammering after that initial shock from a team who easily beat Salford 8-1 in their second-round clash a fortnight ago.

But they gathered themselves and came back strongly against a formidable Liverpool side who are unbeaten for the last three years. Bolton hit back to level on 15 minutes with a close range effort from Jack Fairbrother (St Joseph’s).

The U15s defended well throughout the first half against a frustrated Liverpool side, but disaster struck when they regained the upper hand with a second goal on the stroke of half-time.

The second half was just as closely contested with neither side able to add to their goal tally.