RAMSBOTTOM manager Mike Kelly was delighted to see top scorer Russell Brierley bag four goals in Tuesday's match against Abbey Hey.

And now the Rams manager needs to convince the 32-goal hitman to stay at the Riverside for another season. Brierley is out of contract in the summer.

"We will have to sit down with him soon and get something sorted out," he said. "He was on fire on Tuesday. He hadn't scored for a couple of games but him and Carl Lomax are beginning to play really well together up front.

"Maybe we will start to score a few now and we are not letting in as many as we were."

Brierley's contract negotiations will have to wait for the return of club secretary John Maher. Maher has had a hernia op and Kelly is finding life a little complex without him.

"I hope he gets back soon because the admin side of the club is a nightmare. I am trying to do what I can but there are so many things that you can and can't do, it is not until you come to do them that you realise you have no idea how."

Ramsbottom are at home to Curzon Ashton tomorrow in NWCL Division One. Phil Porter (leg), Mike Smith (back) and David Yorke-Robinson (ankle) are all doubtful but Danny Goodall returns from holiday.