RAMSBOTTOM UTD...1 NANTWICH TOWN...2

RAMSBOTTOM'S top scorer Russell Brierley levelled the scores in this North West Counties first division game with a penalty on 27 minutes after Eddie Bishop had put Nantwich in the lead, but another Bishop goal just before the break secured the points for the visitors.

The Rams had both goalkeepers Allen Fairbrother and Paul Horridge unavailable so loan signing from Hyde United Steve Lyons made his debut.

The young keeper got an early touch saving at the feet of striker Eddie Bishop. Ramsbottom were almost caught out as John Hughes threatened but Stephen Sheil got in a last-ditch saving challenge.

On eight minutes United's defensive frailties were there for everyone to see as Bishop was left in acres of space before he went on to put Nantwich a goal up. At the 25th minute Mark Ramsbottom had failed to test their former keeper Stuart Heeps in the Town goal.

Ramsbottom drew level on 27 minutes with a Russell Brierley penalty after Brad Franks was flattened from behind. With half time approaching Nantwich regained the lead when Nigel Gleghorn picked out Bishop, the striker's miskick struck the crossbar but he reacted quickly to head the rebound past Lyons with a pedestrian Ramsbottom defence looking on.

At the start of the second half Ramsbottom looked to put their lacklustre first half performance behind them and Steve Orrell was unlucky to see his lob beat Heeps but drift past the far post. On 57 minutes Franks' shot eluded Heeps but struck the foot of the post and Nantwich survived as they scrambled the ball to safety.

At the other end Lyons produced a stunning tipover from Bishop's first-time shot as the visitors looked to clinch the game.

Ramsbottom searched desperately for an equaliser and Franks headed over the bar following Langhorn's inswinging free kick.

In the final five minutes David Yorke-Robinson's fierce drive struck the post then Heeps made a fingertip save at the expense of a corner kick, again Yorke-Robinson the unlucky player.