SQUIRES GATE 2 RAMSBOTTOM UTD 1 (aet)

A BELOW-strength Ramsbottom crashed out of the FA Marsden Trophy with a below-par performance against NWCL Division Two leaders Squires Gate.

Neither side created any clear-cut chances in the opening 20 minutes although Andy Grimshaw had the ball in the net only to be flagged offside. On 23 minutes the Blackpool outfit went in front when Mark Thomas turned Scott Bradford's low cross past Rams keeper Jon Parrott.

Without leading scorer Russell Brierley, Ramsbottom's attack lacked the cutting edge and the home defence always looked comfortable.

The second half opened with Ramsbottom on the attack winning two successive corner kicks, but it was Gate who squandered a good opening when Dave Paynter fired high and wide.

Ramsbottom finally drew level on 70 minutes when Porter and Cameron combined on the right before the ball was switched to Darren Bowman who set up Chris Willcock to score from eight yards.

The 90 minutes ended all-square and five minutes into extra time Ramsbottom were reduced to 10 men when Thomas was sent off for a second bookable offence.

With a replay looking likely the home side grabbed the winner in the 118th minute when Paul Thompson fired home from the edge of the box. A minute from time Ramsbottom went down to nine men when Danny Goodall and Paynter were both sent off for violent conduct.