RAMSBOTTOM United are regarded as favourites for promotion, but they suffered an opening day defeat in a five-goal clash at St Helens.

The Rams opened the scoring on 26 minutes when Jon Robinson headed home a right-wing cross from Grant Spencer.

Within 60 seconds of the second half, the home side had levelled through Leon Williams.

Andrew Ledger then gave St Helens a two-goal cushion with strikes on 68 and 80 minutes.

Ian Flannery pulled back a goal for the Rams.