ALL the good work in recent weeks went out of the window as the Rams put in a lacklustre performance against a good, organised Nantwich side.

They couldn't have got off to a worse start, going a goal behind after just three minutes as Nantwich's diminutive striker Ashley Lawton scored.

Several of the Rams players looked like they were ready for the summer holidays and not in the midst of a relegation battle. Their first effort on goal came from a corner by Mark Fitton on nine minutes before striker Glyn Barker produced a fine save from Nantwich keeper Simon Pay.

Ramsbottom went further behind on 30 minutes, a harmless ball up the middle was misjudged on a hard surface by Dyson and Vernon Bowland nipped in to stroke the ball past a helpless Marsh in goal.

Dyson was subsequently substituted by the Rams management team and Ged Walsh took his place. This seemed to add a fresh impetus to the Rams and for 10 minutes they looked like they could drag themselves back into the game, first Scott Weir going close after a goalmouth scramble, then Walsh heading just wide of the post after a free kick from Donaghue with Pay in goal well beaten.

The Rams came out for the second half after a half time ear bashing, but in all honesty it didn't seem to do much good. They went further behind on 47 minutes. A long clearance from the back by Nantwich's Mark Gardiner deceived Liam Bowden playing in a unfamiliar role at the back. He misjudged the flight of the ball and headed it straight into the path of the quicksilver Lawton. He took the ball wide of Marsh and drove the ball into the empty net.

The Rams players looked totally out of sorts and Danny Goodhall, back after injury, was sent on to see if he could add a bit of bite into his team mates.

The Rams sustained a bad injury to one of their more consistent players, Matt Raywood, and he will be sorely missed in the coming weeks in what is sure to be a tough relegation battle.

Nantwich's Gareth Brooks added a fourth goal on the stroke of full time after smart play by Simon Hackney. Then on 92 minutes it was only a fantastic save by Simon Marsh from a Melford Knight headed that stopped them making it five. A score the Rams would find it hard to dispute.

This was as poor a display since Messrs Grimshaw, Clarke, Burke took over and there will have to be a much better performance against high flyers Mossley who visit the riverside on Tuesday evening.

Ramsbottom's next game is tomorrow night against Mossley, kick off 7.45pm.

RAMSBOTTOM UTD...0 NANTWICH TOWN...4