THE visit of third placed Kidsgrove Athletic to the Riverside was a stern test for a Ramsbottom side that had won on their last four outings.

In the seventh minute Kidsgrove's Dicken found ex-Crewe Alexandra man Walters who connected sweetly with his left foot to fire low past the Rams keeper, Allan Fairbrother.

In the 24th minute Dicken made it two.

Ramsbottom were finding it difficult to live with their Staffordshire opponents then fortune shined on the Rams when Russell Brierley received the ball, passed through to Steve Orrell who chipped the ball into the back of Athletic's net. Just as things were looking up on the stroke of half time United's midfielder Karl Brown was rather harshly given his marching orders for a second bookable offence.

After the interval, the 10 men of Ramsbottom came out with new resolve and with good possession and more positive play. Eventually in the 60th minute their work paid dividends with right back Porter looping a high ball into the Kidsgrove area which Brierley nodded on to find David Yorke-Robinson on hand to slot in a superb volley from 10 yards.

Ramsbottom had fought hard for their equaliser and were unlucky not to go ahead a few minutes later when Brennan broke free at the halfway line.

Brierley was found in space but the resulting attempt on goal did not trouble Bentley. Then in the 71st minute a defensive error by the Rams allowed man of the match Dicken to loop a pass to substitute Mitchell who fired home.

Ramsbottom now looked totally exposed. The Rams went further behind on the 78th minute when Kidsgrove won a corner, which found Robertson alone on the edge of the area.

Ramsbottom then got a second wind and pushed forward with themselves winning a corner on the 83rd minute. Yorke-Robinson's placed corner found the head of Stephen Shiel whose firm head found the back of the net.

Just as another comeback was on the cards Ramsbottom hit the self-destruct button by conceding a penalty in the 87th minute which Dickens slotted away.

RESULT: RAMSBOTTOM...3 KIDSGROVE ATH...5