SQUIRES GATE...0, RAMSBOTTOM UNITED...1: FOLLOWING the demolition of Shotton in their previous match, the Rams travelled to the west coast to face another of the early pacesetters in the league, Squires Gate.

On a blustery Tuesday the visitors eventually came away with three points, despite both sides having to cope with gale force winds.

Overall it was a dull affair, with both outfits struggling to create openings in the difficult conditions, with the Rams' defensive performance the highlight of the evening.

With both sides apparently happy with a point as the clock passed 90 minutes, the Rams dealt the killer blow inside stoppage time.

The Rams were forced into two significant changes, with Mickey Saunders out through injury and Bernard Morley suspended, that allowed Ewan Purcell and Lee Buggie the chance to keep hold of their places in the team.

The Rams began confidently and early attempts to get both Adam Cook and Matt Edgington involved in the game looked to be causing the Squires Gate fullbacks numerous problems.

On four minutes a trademark corner routine from Cook and Edgington culminated in the ball falling kindly to Purcell inside the area, but his low shot was dragged wide of the post.

The nearest attempt that almost created a goal involved the elements.

A deep corner from Cook got caught in the stream of a gust and arrowed towards goal, eventually crashing back off the upright and away to safety.

Skipper Alex Rawson had possibly the most clear cut chance for the home side on 35 minutes, when he fired the ball harmlessly wide when 12 yards from goal.

During the half-time break the weather deteriorated, with torrential rain combining with the wind to make playing conditions almost impossible.

As the clock ticked by the chance to win the game looked to be fading, although only a superb block prevented Cook giving Lee Buggie an open goal inside the six yard box.

The referee was seen looking at his watch to indicate the end of the ninety minutes, when an incisive through ball from Purcell sent Edgington clear with only Bamber to beat and the youngster made no mistake by calmly lofting the ball over the keeper and into the back of the net.

The win pushed the Rams up to the dizzy heights of fourth place in the table, but they are there purely on merit and are capable of pushing even higher.

RAMSBOTTOM: Dryden, Raywood, Skarratt, Kozlowski, Robertson, Blackley, Edgington, Purcell, Buggie, Spence, Cook. Subs: Morris (for Purcell), Henry, Delaney.