Ramsbottom United...4 Fleetwood Town...6

DESPITE scoring four goals at home and creating numerous other clear-cut chances, the Rams still contrived to lose this match against Fleetwood Town last night.

Defending more suitable in a comedy show and goalkeeping to match ensured the Rams once again failed to capitalise on an impressive display of attacking football.

The deadlock was broken on 14 minutes when a storming run from midfield by Chris Clark led to an unstoppable left foot drive from 30 yards but Richard Duffy put Fleetwood level.

Matt Swailes put the Rams back in the lead but more dodgy defending led to Nathan Pond and Phil Miller making it 3-2 to Town at half-time.

A Swailes was clawed away by Andy Banks just before crossing the line and the Rams were made to pay for this misfortune after 55 minutes when Miller's individual brilliance allowed him to score a sweet second beyond the despairing dive of Eatock.

The home side began their comeback after 65 minutes when speedy Mike Saunders's low shot from the angle beat Banks, then Clark's curling cross was tapped home by Lee Buggie for 4-4.

Fleetwood regained their lead on 73 minutes when a cross was turned home by McGonnell, and they secured the points 10 minutes later when Miller had the simple task of slotting home to complete his impressive hat trick.

Unfortunately, the Rams' attacking play was overshadowed by the defensive frailties that are blatantly obvious.

Unless major reshuffling and tactical changes are made to the defence, the Rams will struggle to pick up any points in their remaining seven matches, beginning this Saturday with another home match against Curzon Ashton, who put four past Eatock only a few weeks ago.