IT was the same old story for Ramsbottom last night as defensive mistakes meant that even scoring three goals away from home wasn't enough to secure the points for the Rams.

Ben Obong gave Atherton the lead on 23 minutes, but after Matt Swailes equalised, Iain Dyson spurned a chance to give United the lead when his penalty came back off the post.

Then Atherton's Paul Crompton took his chance from the spot on the stroke of half-time when Colin Bulwich was sent off for handball, leaving Ramsbottom with ten men for the second half.

Obong grabbed Atherton's third before a rare mistake by Matt Raywood on 65 minutes presented Atherton with a fourth, a Matty Dunthorne corner curling straight in at the near post.

Rams manager Andy Grimshaw then sent on new signings Will Archer and Robbie Smith but in all fairness to the players that came off, the problems were at the back, and no matter how many goals the Rams scored Atherton were always going to get more.

United got a goal back on 68 minutes when a Chris Clarke free kick curled into the top corner but three minutes later Obong beat the offside trap and lobbed the advancing Andrews for Atherton's fifth of the night.

On 80 minutes Smith was denied what looked like a clear penalty but the ball eventually was knocked back into the box, where Swailes grabbed his second of the game.

Obong was denied his fourth when his shot came back off a post on the stroke of full time.

ATHERTON LR...5

RAMSBOTTOM UTD...3