RAMSBOTTOM UTD...2

SKELMERSDALE UTD...2

NWCFL First Division

WONDER goals have been few and far between at the Riverside this season, but it took one to rob the Rams of all three points on Tuesday night.

Leading 2-1 with just three minutes to go, no-one could have expected the rocket of a shot unleashed by Skelmersdale's Steve Hussey.

Up to that point the Rams had dominated the game and looked on course for a deserved win to put them in the mood for tomorrow's League Cup Semi-final second leg at Newcastle Town.

But it wasn't to be.

The visitors had been the first to test the water when their prolific scorer and skipper, Stuart Rudd, hit a snap-shot from the edge of the box, but Eatock caught it cleanly.

The Rams then began to knock the ball around confidently, with Dave Gardiner, getting a rare start, shooting on the turn at Skelmersdale 'keeper, Robbie Holcroft.

Minutes later a left wing cross from Gareth Gardiner was just a couple of inches too far for older brother Dave to get a touch to.

On 10 minutes Rudd went down under a challenge form Jordan Rispen and from that point struggled with an injury to his hip, eventually being substituted 20 minutes later.

The Rams' back four were playing a measured, well organised game, with Rispen in particular in commanding mood, using his height, strength and skill to thwart the probing balls Skelmersdale launched at them.

Going forward the Rams soon gained control of midfield and used wing outlets Gareth Gardiner and Robbie Smith to good effect.

Gareth Gardiner skipped through the defence from the left wing and threatened to go all the way, but the ball bobbled kindly for Holcroft and the Skelmersdale keeper scooped it up off Gardiner's toe.

It seemed only a matter of time before Rammy's impressive approach play was rewarded, and it was, right on the stroke of half-time.

Dave Gardiner controlled a throw-in and turned, nutmegging his marker and working the ball to Smith.

He took it into the the right corner before sending over a pinpoint cross that picked out the unmarked Lee Buggie, whose bullet header gave Holcroft no chance.

The Rams picked up where they left off in the second half, and it was 2-0 within six minutes of the re-start.

Chris Clarke was brought down on the right and Gareth Gardiner's free kick was blocked by the keeper, but the ball rebounded only as far as Ged Walsh.

He smashed a shot that came off the left hand post but fell kindly for Buggie, who was again on hand to force home his and Rammy's second of the night.

At this point Rammy looked to be in complete charge, but they turned the cruise control off too early, and Skelmersdale began to step up the pace.

They were rewarded just four minutes later, when pressure down the left culminated in LeeThompson picking up the ball on the edge of the Rammy box, and his exquisite lob floated over Eatock.

The goal should have been a reminder to the Rams of what could happen, but instead of taking heed they were guilty of letting Skelmersdale play.

With five minutes to go, Rammy should have sealed the points and Buggie a hat-trick, when he chased a through ball, but it bobbled and sat up for the keeper, who managed to clear. Minutes later he missed a tempting cross by inches.

Goals of quality and class are rare, but Skelmersdale's leveller was worthy of any league in the world.

The ball was cleared by the Rammy defence only as far as the visitors' Steve Hussey, 40 yards out from goal.

His volley could not have been struck any sweeter, the ball like an exocet missile, launched on an unwavering course into the top left hand corner of the Rams' net, to guarantee his side a share of the points

RAMSBOTTOM: Eatock, Raywood, Goodall, Walsh, Rispen, Brown, G.Gardiner, Clark, Buggie, D.Gardiner, Smith. Subs: Swailes, Saunders (not used), Dyson.