AFTER a series of poor results in the league, the Rams reached the League Challenge Cup semi-finals with a victory over Second Division promotion hopefuls Great Harwood Town.

Another enforced goalkeeping change saw the debut of Graham Bennett, drafted in on loan from Bamber Bridge, due to both Paul Horridge and Steve Lyons being cup-tied.

But Bennett didn't see too much action early on as Ramsbottom began brightly.

It was 0-0 at half-time but United started the second half in a similar fashion to the first and were rewarded on 47 minutes with the opening goal. After Chris Clark's's powerful run was brought to a halt, Gardiner's quickly-taken free kick was diverted into the bottom corner of the net by Mark Stewart.

Bobby Harris then saved Gareth Gardiner's penalty, but the visitors were reduced to 10 men on 74 minutes when Neil Kennedy was dismissed for a second bookable offence, and this ended any real hopes of a comeback.

Gardiner made up for his earlier spot kick miss when he latched on to a Swailes pass to slip the ball past Harris to ease any nerves in the home camp.

Neil Zarac then pulled a goal back in injury time and Paul Mashiter had a superb chance to force extra time, but his shot was expertly saved by the impressive debutant.

The Rams later found out that they had been paired with Newcastle Town in the semi-finals, the first of the two-legged affair down at the Riverside on March 27.

Harwood manager John Hughes took encouragement from his side's performance as they prepare to host Castleton Gabriels in NWCL Division Two tonight.

Hughes said: "We were the better team at the end, all credit to the lads. We deserved more out of it.

"It's very encouraging with Castleton Gabriels just around the corner."

RAMSBOTTOM UTD...2

GREAT HARWOOD TOWN...1