A HAT-TRICK from Nadir Patel eased Bolton United into the quarter-finals of the Lancashire Amateur Cup with victory against Tottington United on Saturday.

The striker, who has recently recovered from a knee injury, marked his return by hitting a treble in the second half as Bolton came back from a goal down to win 3-1.

The match was played at the third attempt due to the recent bad weather.

It was moved to the all-weather surface at Ordsall in Salford – and United manager Sal Docky was delighted to reach the last eight of the competition.

“We are a good team and we knew we could do well against them, although some of Tottington’s play really impressed me,” he said.

The sides were evenly matched in a goalless first half, which was played in wet conditions that both sets of players struggled to adapt to.

However, Tottington took the lead on the hour when new defender Nick Street fired in a well-struck shot from the edge of the box.

Bolton raised their game – and their pace up front started to stretch Tottington’s defence. They equalised on 70 minutes after Patel turned home a cross from the left at the back post.

Tottington continued to push forward in search of the winner but Bolton picked them off on the counter attack and took the lead five minutes later when Patel netted with a neat strike across Totty keeper Dan Holland.

And Bolton made the result safe 10 minutes from time when Patel took advantage of a defensive lapse.

Docky said: “We silenced Tottington in the second half. They did not really create anything.

“There was some good build-up to our goals and Patel showed his skill. Shakeel Abudallah was our star man. He was absolutely unplayable.”

United have undergone a remarkable transformation over the last eight years under Docky’s leadership.

They are in second spot in the Premier Division of the Mid Lancashire League and have their sights set on emulating their 2013 league and cup double success.

Docky said: “I think we have a very good chance of going on to win the trophy now.

“We are a fairly young side and are unbeaten in the last 12 or 13 games in all competitions, so we are playing well.”