Nelson 2, Ramsbottom United 3

RAMSBOTTOM stepped up their pre-season preparations with a morale-boosting victory over Nelson at Victoria Park.

United finally took the honours at the end of a keenly-fought contest thanks to a wicked deflection off hapless Nelson defender Micky Charlton.

Earlier, the visitors had got off to a dream start when Nelson keeper Steve Petty fumbled a through ball, presenting Mark Hayes with the simpliest of tap-ins.

But the Blues were back on terms 15 minutes later when Mark Robinson turned neatly in the box before steering the ball home.

Chris Brookes put Rammy back in command with a stunning drive from 25 yards.

Then, Chris Halstead grabbed an equaliser, before a shot from Hayes struck Charlton and completly wrong-footed Petty.

Meanwhile, Nelson boss John Bailey has strengthened his squad by signing Paul Sconce from Colne, Xav Bowers from Clitheroe, Adrian Moore from Curzon and Everton trainee Carl Howarth.