RAMSBOTTOM failed to secure safety in their last home game of the season.

Atherton started brightly and took the lead on six minutes as Greg Bricknell played the ball into the path of McIlroy and he easily steered the ball past Marsh.

Atherton deservedly went 2-0 up on 31 minutes as the Rams were caught out trying to play the offside trap and Thompson broke clear, dribbled past Marsh and placed the ball into the empty net.

Thompson added his second on the hour with a looping header, and Atherton wrapped the game up on 69 minutes, Bricknell again fending off two defenders before firing the ball into the net.

RAMSBOTTOM UTD ...1 ATHERTON COLLS ...4