RAMSBOTTOM were desperately unlucky to lose out in a thrilling cup tie that provided first class entertainment for the large crowd. In the opening minute Prescot cleared off the line from Steve Orrell and goalkeeper Paul Dahl blocked a Russell Brierley shot.

Ramsbottom keeper Alan Fairbrother was also in early action with a fine diving save as Steve O'Neil threatened. For 30 minutes it was end to end stuff with both goalkeepers seeing plenty of the ball. Ramsbottom should have had a penalty when Dahl raced out of his goal and hit Orrell with both feet as the striker nipped the ball over him.

Orrell needed some lengthy treatment but referee Tierney chose to ignore the incident.

The Rams started to shade the attacking play and took the lead on 36 minutes. Brierley wrong footed his marker, let the ball run to David Yorke-Robinson who hammered a first time shot into the Prescot net from 20 yards.

In the final minute of the half Orrell got in a superb diving header from Jamie Taylor's free kick but the ball came off a defender before Dahl made a marvellous tip over for a corner kick.

Just two minutes into the second half Cables drew level when O'Neil scored from close range following a corner kick on the left. Prescot kept Ramsbottom penned in and it took a couple of outstanding saves by Fairbrother, along with some resolute defending, to keep Cables at bay.

With 20 minutes remaining Ramsbottom took a grip on the game and three great saves by Dahl from Taylor, Brennan and Brierley plus two goal line clearances by defenders somehow kept the scores level.

Five mintues from time Dave Roach who, along with Brennan and Yorke-Robinson, had been outstanding in the final stages of the game struck the Prescot crossbar with a 20 yard shot.

Just two minutes were left as Prescot broke away, O'Neil squared the ball to Gary Jensen who hit a low shot past Fairbrother to give Prescot a 2-1 win and a place in the third round.

RESULT: PRESCOT CABLES 2, RAMSBOTTOM UTD 1