UNITED manager Ken Bridge described his side's performance as the best in the five seasons he has been at the club.

"We had the work-rate, flair, attacking options and our midfield stopped them creating while providing chance after chance for our fowards," said a delighted Bridge.

From the first whistle the Rams dominated the game in every department, putting behind them their Christmas disappointments.

Within minutes Russell Brierley showed his intentions for the afternoon, latching on to a cross from David Yorke-Robinson before side-footing into the net from six yards.

Prescot however gave the Rams a jolt on five minute, catching the Rams defence square with keeper Kelly in 'no-man's land' - probably his only mistake of the game - giving Paul Edwards the chance for his shot to be looped into an empty net.

From this point the Rams took complete control with shots firing in from all angles. Prescot were unable to cope with the pace or flowing football being produced by the Rams. They did manage to keep it level up to 15 minutes then Yorke-Robinson fired home into the Prescot net from 20 yards. Prescot, trying to compete with the Rams, started some unusual tactics, trying to put the Rams out of their stride. Fortunately the referee kept control of the game very well.

Following an incident a free kick from 25 yards was blasted into the far corner by Brendan O'Shaughnessy. Within a minute a surging run by David Roach into the penalty area was stopped with a tackle more suited to rugby league. Russell Brierley made it four from the spot. Steve Orrell, not to be outdone, popped up in 39 minutes to make it 5-1 at half time. The second half started with Prescot pushing to get back into a game where there was only one winner. Edwards and Kominskie both brought excellent saves out of Mike Kelly.

Ramsbottom's superiority could have ended in a double figure rout but they had to be content with one more goal, on 51 minutes through O'Shaughnessy.

The visitors replied with a late consolation from Steve Rowan in the last minute.

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