RAMSBOTTOM United have snapped up defender Adam Sumner from Lancaster City and he is expected to make his debut in tonight’s home game against fellow strugglers Atherton Collieries.

“Adam is a very experienced operator, who played a lot of games for Lancaster at left back in their title winning side last season, so it is a cracking signing,” said Rammy manager Mark Fell.

“He had good spells at AFC Fylde and Altrincham too, and, at 27 years of age, he is probably in the prime of his career.

“I’m also looking at bringing a striker in before the end of the month and that’s something we are working hard on.”

Ramsbottom have not won in the league for two months and chairman Harry Williams was forced to give Fell’s management team a vote of confidence after they came under fire from some supporters who were unhappy at the club’s position in the lower reaches of the Evo-Stik North.

Despite that, though, Fell believes that Rammy can make a charge for the play-offs in the second half of the campaign.

“The thing is, we’ve been playing really well and it is painful to see how lady luck has deserted us,” said Fell.

“We’ve hit the woodwork six times in four games, and we were desperately unlucky not to get at least a point in our last game at Colne.

“It is not a case of making wholesale changes, we have the foundation stone of a very good side – we just need a break.

“If we get a slice of fortune, a grubby 1-0 win to get us going, then I’m convinced that we can climb up the table and challenge for a play-off berth because these lads are good enough.”

Ramsbottom have said goodbye to Alex Meaney, the former Stockport County midfielder having moved to Australia.

“Alex was a great servant for Rammy and we wish him the best of luck,” added Fell.

Meanwhile, Clitheroe are also in action tonight with Simon Haworth’s play-off chasers facing a tough assignment at Droylsden.

The Greater Manchester club are also on the fringes of the play-off pack having harvested 40 points, the same total as Clitheroe who are in ninth place.

Haworth has beefed up his squad with the capture of loanee George Hughes from League One promotion challengers Shrewsbury Town and the 18-year-old prospect made his debut in last weekend’s draw at Ossett Town.

Dimitri Tuanzebe has also re-joined the Blues after a spell with tonight’s opponents Droylsden.

“Shrewsbury have agreed to let us have George Hughes for a month and I hope it might be a longer period than that because he was superb against Ossett Town and our man of the match,” said Clitheroe boss Haworth.

Haworth added: “Dimitri broke his foot at Droylsden earlier in the season and couldn’t get back in the side when he was fit again.

“So when we had the chance to bring him back to Shawbridge last weekend we jumped at the chance because his performances for us last season were very good.”