RAMSBOTTOM were unable to build on a great start to this North West Counties Divviosn One game on Saturday.

Striker Matty Swailes scored with three minutes on the clock after being put through by Chris Clarke. Swailes side-stepped Francis Vaughan and placed the ball in the bottom corner past the helpless John Fillies in goal.

Salford equalised on eight minutes, when Graham Vaughan swung in a corner and the ball was flicked on at the near post where Michael Garrity was on hand to volley past Mark Andrews.

Gareth Gardner and Swailes were combining well at this stage and giving the Salford back four plenty of problems.

Iain Dyson had a good effort saved by Gillies, and then a four-man move involving Swailes, Gardner, Clarke and Fitton ended in the latter having a header well saved by Gillies.

Fitton then brought another fine save out of Gillies, the keeper turning his 25-yard strike round the post.

The Rams weren't having it all their own way and Andrews had to be on his toes to keep out efforts from Steve Murphy and ex-Rams striker Scott Weir as Salford played their part in a pulsating first half.

Salford started much the better in the second half with Vaughan in particular causing the Rams all sorts of problems running at defenders.

Ramsbottom's cause wasn't helped when they were reduced to 10 men, Swailes receiving a straight red card for violent conduct on 70 mins.

With 20 minutes remaining, the Rams would have to dig deep to take something from this game. Ramsbottom's Colin Bulwich made a goal line clearance five minutes from time from a Weir effort and Andrews pulled off two more excellent saves to guarantee the Rams a share of the spoils at full time.

With Swailes looking at a lengthy ban, manager Andy Grimshaw's priority has to be a replacement centre forward who can stick the ball in the net, not an easy task these days.

The Rams next home game is tomorrowe against Glossop North End, kick off 7.45pm.

RAMSBOTTOM UTD...1 SALFORD CITY...1