Skelmersdale United 3 Ramsbottom United 0: THE Rams crashed out of the FA Vase with a resounding defeat.

Despite having much of the possession it soon became clear the visitors were lacking a target man to link with Michael Saunders, who had no joy all game against an experienced defensive partnership.

After a crushing defeat in their previous game, and also seeing their opponents put five past Lancaster City in midweek, there were mixed feelings over the possible outcome of the match.

Could the Rams return to winning ways or would Skem continue to score goals at will?

The performance appeared to reflect the latter, as only a sterling display between the sticks from Mark Andrews kept the score respectable.

The only other change to the Rams line-up saw James Hoyle recalled for the suspended Matt Edgington.

The pattern of the game emerged in the opening seconds, when Skem's Carl Osman tested Andrews with a fierce shot destined for the bottom corner.

Further hesitation between Bill Robertson and Andrews gave Osman another chance on 10 minutes, but the keeper was equal to the task.

However, from the resulting corner another poor clearance found Michael Cole, and his teasing cross was nodded into the back of the net by Lee Thompson, adding to his

impressive tally of 22 goals already this campaign.

The Rams eventually began to get to grips with the pace of the game and soon started to control much of the territorial advantage.

However, despite having plenty of possession all they had to show for their efforts were half chances for Bernard Morley and Adam Cook, but on both occasions they failed to seriously

test the ever-present Robbie Holcroft in the host's goal.

After the Rams controlled much of the remainder of the first half, the home side increased their advantage on the stroke of half time.

Steve Rimmer fired the ball through a crowded penalty area and Osman was unmarked at the back post to prod the ball into the empty net, almost recreating a carbon copy of the

opening goal.

This was a vital blow for the visitors and only a miraculous recovery in the second period would change the outcome of the tie.

This never materialised and Skelmersdale continued to exert their authority on the match, constantly threatening Andrews' goal and looking able to shift gears whenever required.

The welcome return of Stuart Rudd for the home side looked to be aiding their cause, and the prolific marksman almost got his name on the score sheet after 48 minutes, but Andrews pulled off another top drawer save.

Morley hit a thunderbolt from 25 yards that flew marginally over the crossbar as the Rams struggled to break the resilient defensive line.

Bill Robertson came closest to reducing the deficit on 67 minutes with a powerful header that was easily cleared off the line, but this only spurred the home side on in search of the third goal.

The introduction of Drew Hyland for Thompson increased the Rams' problems and Hyland was unlucky to see his fierce shot strike the underside of the crossbar and bounce away to

safety.

However, his strike partner Rudd sealed the impressive victory by calmly lobbing the advancing Andrews on 87 minutes.