RAMSBOTTOM manager Mike Kelly has fervently denied that his side are a one-man team after a fruitless night in front of goal without top scorer Russell Brierley.

The Rams' hot shot, who has scored 18 of the side's 26 league goals this season, is currently serving a two-week suspension and the NWCL Division One club missed him up front against Newcastle.

But Kelly said: "Everyone will be saying we are a one-man team but we are not.

"You are always going to miss a player of Russell's quality but there is more to our side than just one player."

Newcastle frustrated the home side, soaking up pressure and hitting them on the break.

Ramsbottom struggled to get behind the defence and the final ball was more often than not lacking. The Rams' first chance of the game came after 15 minutes when David Yorke-Robinson floated a cross in for Steve Brennan who forced a save at the near post.

Five minutes later a good ball from centre half Stephen Shiel released Jamie Taylor, who teased two defenders on the edge of the box before backheeling to set up Steve Orrell whose shot was saved by the keeper.

But disaster struck on 29 minutes when a long ball, flicked on Newcastle's Brett Barlow, was diverted past Alan Fairbrother in the Rams goal by Andy Bott.

Fairbrother came to the rescue just minutes later when he tipped a Bott effort onto the crossbar.

South Africans Alfred Mocheke and Gareth Ormes made their debuts in the second half but couldn't inspire a fightback. The Rams had just two clear chances in the second half, both falling to substitute Chris Lomas, but he couldn't find a way past Simon Pey in the Newcastle net. The Rams visit Great Harwood on Saturday.

RESULT: RAMSBOTTOM...0 NEWCASTLE...1