RAMSBOTTOM made it through to the third round of the Lancashire Marsden Trophy in a nine-goal thriller against fellow NWCL first division side Atherton LR.

The Rams went close to a goal in the opening minute when LR keeper Dave Cummins did well to turn away David Yorke-Robinson's fierce drive from a corner kick.

Chris Lomas then delivered an inswinging flag kick direct into the back of the Atherton ne to make it 1-0.

Yorke-Robinson was then brought down in the box the referee waved play on and Atherton raced away to the other end, won a free kick 20 yards out and former Ramsbottom player Luke Hardman fired in an equaliser.

On 38 minutes Russell Brierley headed Ramsbottom back into the lead from Phil Porter's cross.

And, with just three minutes of the first period remaining, Mark Jones levelled matters.

Then, right on the break, Rams keeper Paul Horridge miscued his clearance to present Mark Fitton with the simplest of chances to give Atherton an unexpected half time lead.

Five minutes into the second half Fitton, who looked about three yards offside, was allowed to continue and he put LR 4-2 in front.

Substitute Mike Langhorn then showed great skills in providing Brierley with a chance and the number nine's shot came back off the crossbar leaving Chris Willcock with a simple tap-in.

Ramsbottom drew level when Cummins could only touch Danny Goodall's well-struck free kick against the crossbar and Brierley headed home the rebound.

Seven minutes from time Ramsbottom grabbed the winner and again Langhorn was the architect playing the ball in behind the Atherton defence.

Cummins was quick off his line to save with his feet from Brierley, the ball broke to Willcock who planted the ball into the empty net.

In the final 10 minutes United were reduced to 10 men after Porter was sent off following what was no more than a minor confrontation with Atherton's Anthony Smith.

ATHERTON LR...4 RAMSBOTTOM UTD...5