RAMSBOTTOM bounced back from a disappointing loss to Flixton with a well-earned point at Winsford.
However, it was Ramsbottom who dominated the opening exchanges and they nearly broke the deadlock within the first two minutes of the first half.
Dave Hanlon received the ball after some good play by Matt Eckersley and after turning one defender he let loose with a shot that ended up going wayward and out to safety.
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Two minutes later and the Rams broke the deadlock. Some neat play by Paul Gallagher saw the forward in space and as he tried to play the ball to Johnson, it was misjudged by the Rams number 9, but luckily Hanlon was on hand to pick up the loose ball and as he made his way into the penalty area and took a touch before looping the ball over the keeper.
The Rams began cutting through the Winsford defence time after time and it seemed only a matter of time before they would increase their lead - and they did midway through the half after a defensive mix up gave Anthony Johnson time to dummy the keeper before putting the ball into the empty net.
The second half started brightly for the home side as they moved forwards with lots of promise.
And it came as no shock when Les Miranda gave them a lifeline.
Minutes later and Winsford should have equalised as a great ball was played across the Rams goal-line, but with no blue shirts in sight, the Ramsbottom defence cleared it out for safety.
At the other end, Johnson and Hanlon were finding it very difficult to muster any real threat on goal, but when they were awarded a corner in the 55th minute, Paul Gallagher was unlucky to see his header go inches wide of the far post.
As the game entered the final 15 minutes, Rams midfielder Gino Pulvino was very lucky to stay on the field after a two footed lunge on a Winsford player. The referee seemed to take his time talking to the Rams player before showing the yellow card.
With the game into stoppage time, the Rams were dealt the worse kind of fate as they finally succumbed to Winsford's pressure.
However, it was a goal that could have easily been avoided. Firstly, Ramsbottom were awarded a corner in the 93rd minute, but rather than play down time they squandered their possession and a long hopeful ball was played forward.
As Matt Eckerlsey battled to clear, the ball was played to the far post where Miranda was waiting to bundle it over the line to the ecstatic cheering of the home supporters.
From the resulting kick off the Rams almost grabbed an unlikely victory when Grandison found a little time inside the Winsford area and after he unleashed a stinging shot, the ball seemed to be going over the line only to be cleared at the last minute.
With the ball going out of play the referee blew the final whistle.
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