Salford City 1 Ramsbottom Utd 1

RAMSBOTTOM fully deserved their share of the points after putting together their best team performance of the season against a Salford City side who consider themselves genuine title contenders.

In the early stages both sides produced some good football on the excellent Moor Lane pitch.

Rams new signing Jamie Taylor linked up with Russell Brierley and it took a good block by defender Dave Brown to keep out Taylor's final shot.

The former Rochdale player was proving to be a problem for the home defence and goalkeeper Phil Melville was relieved to see another Taylor strike cannon off his body for a corner kick.

At the other end Martin Campbell was called into action making a good stop from Tony Carroll. As the first half progressed, Salford shaded the attacking play but the hard working visitors restricted Salford's strikes on goal to just one further effort from Carroll that was ruled offside.

The Rams looked in far better form than in recent weeks and opened the second period with an excellent move that almost brought a goal.

A good build up saw Phil Porter cross to Brierley but his shot went agonisingly a foot wide of the far post.

With 30 minutes remaining Taylor pressurised the Salford defence, was flattened in the process and the ball broke to David Yorke-Robinson. The referee played advantage and Yorkie raced away to cross into the danager area where Brierley steered the ball past Melville to put the Rams in front.

Salford pushed forward in search of an equaliser and Campbell did well to keep out Karl Margison's free kick. With the game into the final 10 minutes a swift Ramsbottom counter attack gave Brad Franks the chance to wrap up the points but the industrious midfielder fired over the top with just Melville to beat. A second Rams break opened up another gilt-edged chance that was lost when Steve Brennan's shot from the edge of the 18 yard area was straight at Melville.

Grabbed

Two minutes from time Salford's Mattie Hughes grabbed an equaliser with a stunning half volley that flew into the top corner of the Ramsbottom net.

Over the 90 minutes a draw was a fair result and provided Rams carry on producing this type of performance they must soon start to climb the table.

RAMS: Campbell 7, Porter 7, Wallace 7, Sheil 7, Williams 7, Brennan 7, Roach 7, Franks 7, Yorke-Robinson 7, R Brierley 7, Taylor 7. Subs: Cameron (for Williams 56), Orrell, Lomas.

TOMORROW St Helen's Town are the visitors to the Riverside, kick off 3pm. On Tuesday night, Rams entertain Winsford United at the Riverside, kick off 7.45pm.

WARREN Brierley has not left Ramsbottom United, as last week's Bury Times stated. Because of fitness worries and work commitments he is not available to play in many matches but he remains on Ramsbottom's books and is still the club captain.