STONE DOMINOES 4, RAMSBOTTOM 1: The Rams fell to their heaviest defeat of the season, but it could have been so much different, had they taken their chances early on.

With other results going their way, this was a good chance to close the gap on the leading teams.

Following a narrow victory in midweek, the Riverside outfit made the long trip to Stoke to face an unknown quantity in Stone, and were presented with a dream start after only two minutes.

Adam Cook beat the right-back and delivered an inviting cross that Lee Lainton struggled to deal with.

His poor clearance fell kindly for Bernard Morley and, after instantly controlling the ball, he fired into the bottom corner, with Rob Hackney motionless in the Stone goal.

This sparked the Rams into playing some enterprising and attractive football, with both Cook and Edgington looking extremely dangerous.

Edgington almost doubled the lead on eight minutes after he picked the ball up inside his own half, but despite easily beating three defenders his powerful shot flew high and wide of Hackney's goal.

Another good move involving Liam Denning and Michael Saunders ended with Cook firing an unmarked shot well wide of the post.

The hosts began to find their feet and almost found an equaliser after 22 minutes, when the ball was bundled home, but an early flag from the assistant quashed the premature celebrations.

These uncharacteristic misses came back to haunt the Rams as they soon found themselves on level terms after 38 minutes.

A run from Andy Taylor culminated in an inch perfect cross for Jon Paul Jones, who finished with the deftest of touches.

Minutes later things deteriorated for the visitors when Shaw found space inside the penalty area and made no mistake by calmly slotting underneath Dryden.

The Rams' performance failed to improve in the second half, and it was no surprise when the home side ran in another two goals.

On 55 minutes Paul Taylor floated the ball to the back post, and Shaw was on hand this time to force the ball over the line.

Saunders will feel a little aggrieved not to have done better, after spinning well inside the six yard box and firing directly into the body of Hackney.

On 72 minutes Denning flighted a perfect cross for Morley, but his downward header shaved the outside of the post.

With only eight minutes remaining Stone sealed their victory when Nick Ward fired a superb strike with the outside of his foot into the bottom corner.

A return to FA Vase Second Round action this Saturday sees the Rams make a trip to high-flyers Skelmersdale United.

l Ramsbottom: Dryden, Raywood, Brooks, Kozlowski, Robertso, Blackle, Edgington, Denning, Saunders, Morley, Cook . Subs: Hoyle (for Kozlowski), Stubberfield (for Denning), Walsh (for Edgington).

Christopher Boothman