RAMSBOTTOM came from a goal down in the first minute to win this NWCL first division clash against title hopefuls St Helens.

Matty Farrell headed past Simon Marsh to open the scoring but after that early setback Ramsbottom rallied.

Wood again saved St Helens, diving at the feet of Yorke-Robinson. Right on the break a fine Ramsbottom move almost brought a second goal when Russell Brierley headed over from Thomas' cross.

At the start of the second half Russell Brierley broke away down the left before hammering his final shot across the face of the St Helens goal. One or two tackles started to fly in with a player from each side finding his way into the referee's notebook. A minute later the number nine went close to his hat trick but Wood somehow turned the ball away.

The Saints finally got out of their own half and Ramsbottom keeper Marsh had to deal with a couple of difficult crosses, but Ramsbottom continued to boss the game with Grimshaw and Brown keeping a firm grip in midfield as they took St Helens apart.

First Lomax then Brown and substitute Dale Fielding had goal-bound shots turned away by the impressive Wood, who without question prevented Ramsbottom from running in six or seven goals.

ST HELENS TOWN...2 RAMSBOTTOM UTD...3