CARL LOMAX scored his second goal of the season, but it wasn't enough to prevent Ramsbottom United slumping to their third defeat in the last five league outings at St Helens Town on Tuesday night.

Town hot shot Lee Cooper took his tally to 28 goals for the season with a 26th minute strike and a 53rd minute penalty.

Lomax replied on 55 minutes for Ramsbottom, who remain fixed in mid-table mediocrity as they prepare for tomorrow's trip to Nantwich Town.

The Cheshire side are really on the up and up -- on and off the pitch.

They have sold their Jackson Avenue ground for £1.2 million and are moving to a new, nine-acre Green Belt site in the centre of town at the end of next season where they are having a sports stadium, complete with a host of facilities, built.

Player-manager Nigel Gleghorn tops the club's goalscoring charts with ten goals at the moment. The former Stoke, Manchester City and Ipswich Town midfielder has guided Town out of the relegation mire and seen the side win five out of their last six home games, losing just twice in their last 13 overall.

Former Tranmere Rovers star, Eddie Bishop, scored twice for Nantwich when they beat the Rams at the Riverside. "It was a rather fortunate win," said Nantwich secretary Bernard Lycett. "Ramsbottom deserved a draw. They are a good side and they have a good set-up."

Nantwich's other danger man in front of goal, John Scarlett, who has hit nine goals, is currently sidelined and six-goal Ian Dawson looks likely to have to be content with a place on the substitutes' bench tomorrow.

Bishop is Gleghorn's assistant and has five goals to his credit since joining the club.

The probable Nantwich team is: Heeps, McVey, Gardener, Murphy, Jardine, Buckle, Hall, Gleghorn, Bishop, Hampshire, Hackney. Substitutes: Vickers, Brook, Dawson.