ATHERTON LR were thumped 5-2 at Ramsbottom United in their rearranged North West Counties League First Division clash.

Three first-half goals in eight minutes, scored by Matt Swailes, Lee Buggie and Danny Heyes, put the Rams in control at the break.

Gareth Gardiner made it four five minutes into the second half, before Atherton pulled two back with a Ben Obong penalty and a Jason Kay goal.

Gardiner added his second two minutes from time to kill off the visitors.