THE Rams put in a much improved performance against Congleton Town and it seems Neil Hart's threat of changes after the dismal display against Formby the previous week has paid dividends.

It was Ramsbottom who applied the pressure from the starting whistle and on five minutes they took the lead when Anthony Johnson latched onto a delightful throughball and he chipped the advancing keeper to put the home side in front.

It should have been two not long after when Dave Hanlon received the ball out on the right and, after cutting into the area, he decided to cross the ball rather than shoot on goal and the chance was gone.

Andy Sensale then had a great opportunity to test the keeper after going around the last defender but again, he opted to square the ball to the onrushing Johnson which gave the keeper the easy task of scooping the ball to safety.

At the other end, the Rams had to survive two penalty shouts in quick succession.

In the 35th minute, Martin Campbell had to be alert to keep out a dipping cross but his finger tip save saw the ball cannon off the post to Hadrell and when it seemed the Congleton forward would put his side on an equal footing he somehow missed the open goal from six yards out and the ball went out for a goal kick.

The second half saw Congleton play the better football and they consistently hit the Rams on the break.

It came as no surprise, then, when Andy Hurst scored their equaliser.

A simple ball was hit towards the Rams area and with four Ramsbottom players all grouped together, no-one took responsibilty to clear and Hurst raced through and guided the ball past the stranded Rams keeper.

Minutes later, Campell had to be alert when Congleton poured forwards and another neat throughball saw Hurst one-on-one with the Rams stopper but this time Campbell did enough and deflected the ball away to safety.