RAMSBOTTOM UNITED 0 , CURZON ASHTON 1: Curzon set out to upset the applecart at the Riverside and after achieving this went on to secure victory.

Both Bernard Morley and Matt Edgington were unavailable through injury, and with Adam Cook, Ewan Purcell, John Blackley and Matt Walsh not fully fit, the Rams were a little under strength going into what they knew would be a tough encounter.

However, they made a bright start and after just three minutes created a glorious chance to open the scoring, but leading scorer Michael Saunders failed to beat David Fish with a header from just outside the six yard box.

They continued to dominate proceedings and another chance fell to Saunders, but he failed to beat Fish from a narrow angle after 28 minutes.

Both Purcell and Chris Mackay were crying out for a pull back, but the natural instincts of a striker took over when he fired the ball towards the bottom corner.

Purcell almost produced a moment of brilliance on 37 minutes when he picked up the ball inside the Curzon half and hit a stunning strike that swerved towards the top corner, but it ended up nestling in the side netting.

The Rams' frustration was clear as they began to get involved with the visitors spoiling tactics, on two occasions retaliation causing immediate cautions from the referee.

The officials were failing to clamp down on Curzon's niggly tactics, but despite this approach they ended the half the stronger, with Chris Ball hitting a looping effort that curled wide of the upright with Mark Andrews well beaten.

They then made a dream start to the second half.

A long ball from Chris Hinchcliffe was flicked on by Nick Wild and found recent signing Andrew Waine at the back post totally unmarked, he made no mistake, calmly volleying the ball beyond the outstretched hand of Andrews.

The Rams did not allow this to affect their game and on numerous occasions came close to an equaliser.

After 53 minutes Chris Mackay's corner was met by Bill Robertson, whose effort was headed off the line.

From the resulting corner, another knock down was met by Purcell who should have done better with a free header from six yards.

Wild then almost doubled Curzon's lead after 68 minutes when his free header looped wide of the post, again Andrews relieved to see the ball fly the other side of his post.

But they had done enough to claim the win and dent the Rams chances of grabbing third spot

A Ramsbottom XI begin their quest for glory in the Bolton Hospital Cup with a home tie against Manchester League side Prestwich Heys on Wednesday evening, kick off 7.30pm.

The Rams then face a trip to Atherton LR next Saturday in the league (3pm).

Ramsbottom: Andrews, Raywood, Ingham, Kozlowski, Robertson, Blackley, Mackay, Hayes, Saunders, Purcell, Cook. Subs: Meace, Frost (for Saunders), Walsh (for Hayes).

Chris Boothman