THIS was a game that Ramsbottom simply had to win. How didn't matter as the result, and not the performance, was all important.

As the game kicked off, whatever was said to the players before the game seemed to have worked as they took the game to Warrington, passing with speed and conviction, which seemed to unsettle the visitors.

Such a move resulted in the Rams taking the lead in the third minute. After neat interplay between Thomas and Franks down the right-hand side, the latter's cross was driven into the roof of the net by striker Carl Lomax from 10 yards out.

The goal seemed to get rid of all the tension and frustration the players and supporters had been feeling over the last few weeks.

With Warrington now on the back foot, Ramsbottom went in search of a second. Confidence had returned, players were playing the game with their heads up and, for the first time in a couple of weeks, they looked to be enjoying playing football again.

After 10 minutes Brad Franks suddenly pulled up with hamstring trouble and was immediately replaced by the evergreen Grimshaw. The substitution forced the management to change from a 3-5-2 formation to 4-4-2.

At this stage Warrington tried to impose themselves on the game and, with the Rams beginning to give away the odd free-kick, they almost drew level.

The ball was swung in from the right and with debutant Jimmy Reilly hesitating, the striker nipped in and headed towards goal, only to find Simon Marsh again on top of his game as he brilliantly tipped the ball over the bar.

Dale Fielding was causing problems down the left side and after 30 minutes he was brought down by a rash challenge right on the edge of the area.

Scott Thomas drove in the free-kick and the incoming Lomax got the faintest of touches to take the ball into the net for his and Ramsbottom's second goal.

The Rams continued to have the lion's share of possession for the remainder of the half and created one or two half chances, but were unable to add to the scoreline.

Certain questions were being asked around the ground by the home supporters. Would the Rams come out in the second half with the same attitude? Would Simon Marsh keep the clean sheet his performances have merited? And would the Rams finish the game with 11 men?

Ramsbottom went out in search of the goal that would finally kill off their visitors. Prolific striker Russell Brierley twisted and turned, but was unlucky to see a left-foot shot curl the wrong side of the post.

Meanwhile, Lomax was all over the back four like a rash all night, never giving them a second to settle and he completed his hat-trick on the hour.

As the visitors captain Smith tried to clear, Lomax closed him down and bore down on the visitors' keeper. After cleverly sitting him on his backside, Lomax then rounded the somewhat embarrassed custodian and stroked the ball into the empty net for a well-deserved treble.

Warrington were shell-shocked and started to dish out one or two nasty tackles and tested the questionable discipline of some of the Ramsbottom players.

For once, they picked themselves up, brushed themselves down and simply got on with it, with skipper Ged Walsh the major calming influence on more than one occasion.

On 70 minutes Ramsbottom scored their fourth goal. Russ Brierley was upended as he charged in on goal and with Warrington still organising their defensive wall, Scott Thomas cleverly looped a free-kick over them and into the far corner of the net.

Warrington tried in vain to get back into the game, but the defence of Boden, skipper Walsh, McCoy -- on for the tiring Reilly -- and Goodall stood firm.

However, they forced a corner in injury time and as captain Smith met the incoming ball he powered a header towards goal, but as usual Marsh was equal to it as he twisted in mid-air and somehow parried the ball over the bar, at which point the final whistle blew and Ramsbottom had secured their second win of the season.

In summary, Ramsbottom got the result and turned in a performance at the same time. If they can approach every game in the same manner, then it wont be long before they climb the table.

Tomorrow the Rams travel to Alsager with a 3pm kick-off. This is followed by St Helens at home on Tuesday night (kick-off 7.45pm).

RAMSBOTTOM UNITED: Marsh 8, Franks 7, Goodall 8, Walsh 8, Reilly 7, Boden 8, Brown 7, Thomas 7, Fielding 8, Brierley 8, Lomax 9. Substitutes: Grimshaw (for Franks 10) 7; Orrell (for Grimshaw 65) 7; McCoy (for Reilly 80) 7.