A nightmare week for manager Neil Hart ended with a terrific performance and result against Runcorn Linnets at the Riverside Ground.
The rout started in the fourth minute when a free-kick was awarded to the Rams just outside the area when a defender was adjudged to have handled the ball.
And Rams assistant manager, Iain McLellan hit a sweetly struck shot over the wall and into the back of the net.
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At the other end of the field, the returning John Ogden in goal was in fine form as he kept the Rams lead intact with a wonderful double save.
The second half saw a much more physical Runcorn side as they started to let frustration get in the way of their football.
But the Rams carried on playing and within minutes of the restart they were unlucky not to go two goals up when Dean Thurston was played through the middle of the park but he seemed to be in two minds and his cross/shot went agonisingly wide of the far post.
Niggly tackles and a lack of composure started to surface and when the young referee finally showed a red-card it came as no surprise to the watching spectators.
Joe McKane saw red for a headbutt on Hyden Eames after the referee had awarded the Rams a free-kick for a late tackle.
This seemed to give the green light for both sides to get involved in ugly confrontations and the referee did well to only show the yellow card to a host of players from both sides in a mad five minute spell.
At this point the Rams took control of the game and within minutes of McKane's sending off they went two-nil in front.
A long ball by McLellan found Dean Thurston in acres of space and after re-adjusting his body position he curled in a delightful cross.
New signing Graham Vaughan got in on the act with a fortuitous goal when Anthony Johnson broke free and, after sending over an inch-perfect cross, Vaughan's initial shot was horrible executed - but the ball cannoned off his shin and looped over the keeper near the post and into the net.
And, in the dying minutes of the game, substitute Matt Kay made it four.
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