OLD Boltonians title hopes were shaken and stirred in a 3-0 home defeat by a very impressive young Gregorians side.

"We should have been two up but we missed chances," admits Bolts boss Peter Cooper. "They caught us out on the break and scored three in seven minutes so it may look worse than it actually was.

"All credit to them they worked their socks off but we must have missed a dozen good chances and when our average this season is four goals a game that takes some explaining. It was just a bad day at the office."

Mike Tarron gave Bury GSOB a ninth minute lead at home to title chasers Highfield United with a 30 yard lob after Ian Riggs had charged down a kick from the keeper only for the visitors to level from the penalty spot on 41 minutes.

Tragedy struck for Bury defender Andy Jackson on 70 minutes when he diverted a cross into his own net to give the Highfield side a 2-1 win.

"That was only our fourth league game of the season," says manager Howerd Croft. "For one reason and another we haven't played in the league since September 9 and even so we were very disappointed not to get anything out of it because we played well."

In Division Two Ainsworth and Bury Amateurs shared the spoils in a 2-2 draw. Mark Haslam gave the amateurs the lead on 15 minutes with a fortuitous effort which came of his hip to wrong-foot Ainsworth keeper Kris McKay. A looping header form Rob Haslam on the half hour mark put the home side level and on 75 minutes substitute Patrick Filio made it 2-1 for Ainsworth. Five minutes from time a disputed penalty was converted by Bury's Paul Butterworth. Mike Murphy scored a hat-trick and Sean Scully one for Radcliffe Amateurs thirds in a 4-0 win over Mostonians, defender Kenny Walker named as star man.

The LAL Inter League side last week was invited down to Lilleshall to play the Great Britain Maccabi team which is set to compete in the Sydney Maccabi games. The LAL team, including Radcliffe Amateurs' Rick Smith and Matt Sheppard, Old Bolts' keeper Andy Lees, Walshaw Sports' Miles Mattocks and Rivington's Chris Walker won 2-0 with the latter scoring the first goal.