spoil a good win ST HELENS 1 RAMSBOTTOM 2 RAMSBOTTOM took the points in a game where the referee appeared to want to take centre stage.

Mr Whitehurst awarded two dubious penalties to the home side, one of which was ordered to be re-taken, but St Helens missed them both.

Goals from Andy Grimshaw and Chris Brookes secured the points after United had gone a goal behind early on.

On 13 minutes, St Helens went ahead against the run of play through new signing Brian Hatton.

But United were back on level terms within two minutes. Chris Willcock played a good ball in to Grimshaw who cut across and fired into the bottom left corner.

Just minutes later the visitors were shocked by the first of two strange penalty decisions.

St Helens forward Lee Cooper appeared to punch the ball away as he went down in the box under challenge from two Ramsbottom players.

The players thought the whistle had blown for a free kick but the ref had pointed to the spot.

Cooper stepped up to take it but Keith Nield produced a fine save.

Mid-way through the second half the ref awarded St Helens a second penalty after Cooper shot wide under pressure from Mike Smith.

Brian Hatton took it this time and scored, but the ref ordered it to be retaken after encroachment from St Helens players.

Hatton fired wide at the second attempt.

Ramsbottom got the winner 15 minutes from time after Brookes picked up a loose ball from a corner, went past two defenders and fired in a superb shot. NELSON 6 PADIHAM 1 LEEK CSOB 1 CLITHEROE 3 GATESHEAD 0

ACCRINGTON STANLEY 0 ASHTON UNITED 7 CHORLEY 2 ROSSENDALE 9

KIDSGROVE 3

GREAT HARWOOD 3 XXXXXXxxxx

XXXXXxx UNIBOND LEAGUE NORTH WEST

COUNTIES LEAGUE ST HELENS 1 RAMSBOTTOM 2 WARRINGTON 2 BACUP 3 Colne's game away at Daisy Hill in NWCL Division Two was postponed.