THEY were made to graft for it but Horwich St Mary’s Victoria came out on top with a 3-1 win in the Premier Division derby at Little Lever.

After taking one point from their previous two games, it came together in the first half at their Bolton neighbours but Danny Holmes’ team had to withstand great pressure from the hosts late on.

“It was a good win, a cracking result for us,” said Holmes, whose team sit sixth in the table. “It hasn’t been the best of starts after losing our last game to Roach Dynamos in the last minute. We went into the Lever game expecting a really tough afternoon and that’s what we got.

“We had the best of the first half and led 2-0 at half time but after they pulled one back soon after the break they shaded the second 45 minutes.”

Jonny Shacklady had put Horwich ahead, converting a penalty after he was upended in the Lever box.

And when Matthew Makinson headed in number two they seemed set for a second-half stroll.

But, after halving the deficit, Little Lever laid siege to the Vics’ goal, with the visitors only having chances on the break.

And Horwich only sealed the three points 10 minutes from the end, Connor Dalton tucking away a third goal for his side, whose manager is aiming for a top-half finish.

“We have lost two or three players over the summer so we’re in a rebuilding process,” added Holmes. “We have mainly recruited from the reserve team that won back-to-back titles, but we’ve got lads coming back, we’re growing in confidence and we feel the top half is our aim. We’re looking good.”

Premier Division leaders Old Boltonians were never in danger of letting their unbeaten record slip at Howe Bridge Mills.

Matt McLellan’s four-goal salvo took him to eight for the season, and with Rob Taylor and Lucas Gaynor also netting they won 6-2.

In Division One Bolton Wyresdale drew 3-3 at Valley United.