CURZON ASHTON 3 RAMSBOTTOM UNITED 1

RAMSBOTTOM'S visit to Curzon gave them an early opportunity to put Saturday's FA Cup defeat behind them, but an extremely poor team performance failed to lift the gloom and they never looked capable of overcoming a hard-working, but mediocre Curzon Ashton side.

As early as the fifth minute the Rams needed a goal-line clearance from Steve Brennan to keep the home side at bay. The game had gone beyond the 20-minute mark before Curzon;s keeper Danny Crabtree was in serious action, tipping over Paul Cameron's fierce drive.

Cameron then brought a further save from Crabtree with a free-kick from 20 yards. On 28 minutes Curzon took the lead when Matt Wearden scored from close range and two minutes later added a second when some woeful defending left John Worsley with a simple task that he gratefully accepted.

As the first half ended, Ramsbottom came close to reducing their arrears, but again Crabtree saved from Cameron.

The second half saw Steve Orrell on for the injured Brennan with David Yorke-Robinson now operating wide on the right.

And it was Yorkie who wasn't far away with a decent strike that ended going outside the far post.

With the game approaching the 60-minute mark Ramsbottom fell further behind when a lack of communication presented Mark Dewar with a further gift.

Orrell should have pulled a goal back, but shot wide with an open goal beckoning.

With 15 minutes remaining Mike Langhorn's well-struck free-kick was turned over the bar by Crabtree and from the corner kick Russell Brierley scored with a header at the near post.

It was to be no more than a consolation as the Rams slumped to another defeat with a very poor performance.

RAMSBOTTOM UNITED: Campbell 5, Porter 5, Roach 5, Wallace 5, Langhorn 6, Brennan 5, Franks 6, Cameron 5, Williams 5, R Brierley 5, Yorke-Robinson 6. Substitutes: Orrell (for Brennan, 46 mins) 5, Rhodes (for Cameron, 80 mins). Not used: Morris.

Tonight Ramsbottom entertain Mossley at the Riverside (kick-off 7.45pm) and on Tuesday next (Oct 9) they have another tough trip to Salford City (7.45pm).