TEN-MAN Ramsbottom suffered a 2-1 defeat to Witton Albion in the Evo-Stik League Premier Division.

Apart from Matt Burke, who struggled manfully in midfield often up against three opponents, and Jamie Rother the contributions of those in front of the back four ranged from ineffectual through peripheral to anonymous - although they were certainly hampered by the loss of the injured Donal McDermott after only 10 minutes.

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The Rams conceded the opener when Lucas Molina’s clever dummy allowed Jamie Rainford all the time and space he needed to shoot home from six yards.

The visitors battled away but long high balls forward are unlikely to be productive with a forward pairing of Lee Gaskell and Jamie Rother.

The Rams were fortunate not to go two down on the half hour, Rainford taking advantage of lightweight tackling on the edge of the box and sending a lob onto the top of the bar.

Then almost on the half-time whistle Rother latched onto a bouncing ball barely 10 yards inside the Witton half and sent a dipping shot past a startled Ryan Swift and into the net.

Unfortunately the equaliser, skilful and fortuitous in equal measure, did not presage a Rams revival.

On the restart only a double point bank save by Grant Shenton followed by a goal line clearance and the linesman’s flag when the rebound was fired in prevented Witton regaining the lead.

Molina then shot wide from a promising position but the reprieve lasted only 15 minutes.

Rainford was cleverly sent loose inside the box by a clever pass from Joe Shaw and he passed the ball into the far corner.

Ramsbottom then found themselves reduced to 10-men when Burke clattered into Shaw and was dismissed with 15 minutes to go.

The defeat means it is now seven league games without a win for the Rams ahead of a long midweek trip to Blyth Spartans tomorrow night.