Maine Road 5 Ramsbottom United 4

RAMSBOTTOM threw away a great chance to pick up their first away win after conceding a further five goals on top of the eight conceded in the previous two games.

Two up through Russ Brierley on three minutes and David Yorke-Robinson on 11 minutes, the Rams looked well on their way to taking all three points. Then came a crucial refereeing decision.

On 21 minutes Brierley again had the ball in the net, only for the referee to disallow the goal and award a free-kick on the edge of the box for a foul by a Maine Road defender. So much for allowing the advantage.

The decision became even more crucial two minutes later when Jock Russell's penalty reduced the Manchester side's arrears.

That's how it stood at the interval although with a little bit of luck the Rams lead could have been greater with Mike Langhorn striking the crossbar and Danny Goodall having a delicate flick cleared off the line with the keeper well beaten.

On the hour Paul Wadsworth's shot went in off the crossbar, but 15 minutes from time, Yorke-Robinson's free-kick took a deflection to put United back in front.

The lead lasted just three minutes when Ramsbottom lost the ball in midfield and Phil Osborne raced clear to make it 3-3.

On 80 minutes Maine Road went in front for the first time when Ramsbottom failed to defend a corner kick and Wadsworth scored from close range.

With seven minutes remaining Goodall looked to have saved a point when he got on the end of Dave Roach's deep cross to make it 4-4.

In the final minute, the dangerous Russell won the game for Maine Road with his second of the night.

RAMSBOTTOM UNITED: Rooney 4; Porter 5, Langhorn 5, Roach 6, Rhodes 5, W Brierley 6, Yorke-Robinson 6, Goodall 5, R Brierley 6, Orrell 6, Franks 5. Substitute: Brookes (for Langhorn, 70 mins) 5. Not used: O'Shaughnessy, Wallace.

Ramsbottom entertain Ashington at home on Saturday (kick-off 3pm) in the FA Cup first qualifying round and Salford City next Tuesday (kick-off 7.45pm).