RAMSBOTTOM United went into this game against one of the form sides in the division who before this game had lost one in their last 13 games.

Mike Kelly had selection problems due to the fact that both Mike Smith and Steve Sheilds were unavailable and matters were made worse when Mike Langhorn got stuck in traffic on his way to the game. So Kelly decided to give a debut to Darren Blore at the back, a recent signing from Trafford, and put both Simon Woodford and Phil Porter in a back three formation. Gary Lewis was also given a start on the left side due to the late arrival of Langhorn, John Phillips was also given his first start in the centre of midfield.

Nantwich started the game brightly and put the Rams new defence under pressure from the word go, with Gleghorn at the centre of every Nantwich move as they forced two corner in the opening minutes, but Horridge and his defenders coped with the early pressure admirably. The Rams then started to get the ball down and played some neat football, on a tricky bobbly surface, one such move culminating in a Brad Franks volley which just flashed wide of the target. Paul Horridge had to be on his toes as Eddie Bishop broke clear of the defence and found himself one on one with Horridge, but Horridge reacted well to smother the ball at the ex-Tranmere Rovers striker's feet. Half time approached with the deadlock still not broken.

The second half kicked off in bright sunshine with Ramsbottom forcing the play right from the start as they knocked the ball about with Karl Brown at the centre of most moves.

Brad Franks and John Phillips linking up well int he centre of midfield. Yorke-Robinson threatening down the right and Lewis down the left. Surely it was just a matter of time before Ramsbottom turned their territorial advantage into a goal.

Brierley and Lomax linked up well together and on one occasion playing a neat one two but Lomax's final shot was just off target as he spun on the edge of the box.

The Rams had Nantwich on the backfoot but didn't have anything to show for all their possession. On 75 minutes a tiring Gary Lewis was replaced by Steven Brennan with Yorke-Robinson moving onto the left side of midfield and Brennan the right. This nearly paid immediate dividends as Yorke-Robinson put in a cross that found the Rams leading marksman Brierley totally unmarked in the area, but with a free header he decided to pick out Stuart Heeps in the Nantwich goal rather than the back of the net.

Mike Langhorn replaced Yorke Robinson after he picked up a slight knock on 80 mins. Nantwich then came into the game a little more but the back three of Blore, Woodford and Porter, marshalled by Horridge, dealt with the situation as they had done all day and considering the fact t he defenders were thrown in at the dep end by the manager, their performance individually and collectively deserves a special mention. So for the second time in the last three games, the Rams failed to socre and must learn that chances that do come along have to be taken at this level on the plus side it was the Rams second clean sheet in the last three games, a marked improvement on earlier performances. Rams next game is at home to Abbey Hey on Tuesday with a 7.45pm kick off.

RAMSBOTTOM...0 NANTWICH...0