RAMSBOTTOM stay rooted to the bottom of NWCL Division One after a 4-1 defeat at home to Woodley Sports.

After going close to a goal in the opening minute Woodley kept the pressure on and grabbed the lead on four minutes, Andy Pavey scoring from close range following a left wing cross.

Ramsbottom got in a good strike from Russell Brierley but it brought a smart tip-over from Woodley keeper Keith Jones.

The visitors carved out another clear opening but Simon Marsh saved brilliantly from Mike Norton.

Woodley looked far more dangerous than Ramsbottom with Marsh making a string of fine saves.

With half an hour gone the Rams were reduced to 10 men when Warren Brierley was sent off following a second cautionable offence.

Ten minutes before the break Damian Ohandjanian raced clear to put Woodley two in front and in the final seconds Marsh made yet another excellent save from the dangerous Norton.

The second half opened with Woodley piling men forward and it was the heroic Marsh who restricted Woodley's lead with three marvellous saves.

On 53 minutes the Cheshire side wrapped things up with two goals in a minute, Norton forcing the ball home from a corner kick then racing through the middle to crack in a fourth.

It was all Woodley with Ramsbottom looking well-beaten and with a third of the game still to play Ramsbottom's worst-ever defeat looked a distinct possibility.

With Marsh and central defender Ged Walsh playing out of their skins and Woodley taking their foot off the pedal, Norton's second goal proved to be the last of the scoring for the visitors and although substitute Dale Fielding pulled a goal back, it was too little too late for Ramsbottom.

RAMSBOTTOM UTD...1

WOODLEY SPORTS...4