RAMSBOTTOM UTD 1 SALFORD CITY 0

SALFORD made a confident start but the first real threat came from Ramsbottom and it took a fine tackle by Salford captain Dave Brown to deny the Rams' Russell Brierley.

Brierley again caused problems as he got to the by line before crossing to Chris Willcock who scored from close range.

Ramsbottom went for a second goal and Phil Melville made good saves from Brierley and Chris Brookes. Salford refused to panic and got themselves back into the game with the lively Matty Hughes looking dangerous.

And it was now the turn of Ramsbottom keeper Keith Neild to show what he was capable of as he produced fine saves from Hughes and Tony Carroll.

Salford upped the tempo at the start of the second half forcing Ramsbottom onto the defensive but a swift counter-attack almost brought Ramsbottom a second goal and only a superb stop by Melville from Willcock's powerful header kept City in the NWCL Division One game.

The Rams defended as a compact unit and in the closing minutes Melville again made two great stops first from substitute Barry White and then from Russell Brierley.