BOLTON suffered their first defeat in three matches when they lost out to Ashton-under-m Lyne in an open, end-to-end game.

The points came from a John Keech try and three penalties from Guy Lovgreen, but it was Ashton who finished the game the stronger.

The Tameside team made a bright start and it took some strong tackling to deny them an early try.

After standing firm against the early onslaught, the Bolton defence was caught napping by what looked an innocuous kick through and a strong suspicion of a knock-on as Ashton scored under the posts.

Trailing 7-0 after 10 minutes, Bolton hit back with two Lovgreen penalties to cut the deficit to just one point at the interval.

The second half was a much more open affair, with both sides trying to exploit the hard ground.

Strong running from Ash Cooper and big tackles from Chris Mee were key features in Bolton’s play until, after a prolonged period of pressure in the Ashton 22, an unlikely breakaway gave the visitors their second try for a 14-6 lead.

Bolton finally had something to show for their superior possession and territorial advantage and gave themselves a chance of victory into the bargain when John Hodgkinson sent Keech in for a try in the corner.

But, with the game in the balance Ashton scored a converted try to take what proved a decisive 21-11 lead.

Lovgreen had the last word on the scoring front when he kicked his third penalty, but the game was already beyond Bolton, who now have three games to play this season, two of which are at home.