Prescot Cables...1 Ramsbottom Utd...2

MIKE KELLY'S Ramsbottom marauders made it three league victories in a row with an excellent win at title-chasing Prescot Cables.

The Merseysiders gave the Rams' defence a scare in the opening minute when Gary Jensen broke free on the right, but his final shot flew across the face of the goal.

Ramsbottom keeper Allan Fairbrother then produced a marvellous one-handed save from Jensen and a minute later his opposite number, Paul Dahl, was also in action with a great double stop from David Yorke-Robinson and then Steve Brennan.

Russell Brierley made progress down the right before getting in a low cross that the home defence scrambled to safety.

Cables conceded a number of free-kicks and one in particular almost brought a goal.

Ramsbottom's dead-ball specialist, Jamie Taylor, drove the kick to the back post where both Yorke-Robinson and Karl Brown were at full stretch in attempting to get a contact that would certainly have resulted in a goal.

The Rams more than matched high-flying Prescot, but five minutes before the break they fell a goal behind when full back Mike Williamson scored with a well-executed chip shot that gave Fairbrother no chance at all.

A bad tackle on Phil Porter led to a niggling opening second period, but gradually both sides got back to playing the kind of football that had made the first half so entertaining.

The impressive Fairbrother kept the Rams in the game with a brave save at the feet of Jensen. Brierley's pace caused problems for the Prescot defence, but he had to be satisfied with a corner kick after a terrific 40-yard run.

On 65 minutes United deservedly drew level when Taylor showed great skill and vision in pulling the ball back to Yorke-Robinson, who fired a first time shot into the Cables' net from 12 yards.

Ramsbottom were shading the attacking play as the clock ticked down with Prescot looked increasingly nervous and with the game in the 89th minute, Ramsbottom were awarded a free-kick some 30 yards out on the right. Taylor delivered the ball into the danger area for Brad Franks to score with a low diving header that flew into the Prescot net.

Over five minutes of stoppage time were then played out with the Rams well worth their 2-1 victory, a reversal of the Worthington Cup score two weeks ago.

RAMS: Fairbrother 8, Porter 8, Roach 8, Sheil 7, Goodall 7, Brennan 8, Brown 8, Franks 8, Yorke-Robinson 8, Brierley 8, Taylor 9. Substitutes: Orrell (for Roach, 90 mins). Not used Lomas, Walsh.

THE Rams face more championship contenders tomorrow when Kidsgrove Athletic visit the Riverside Kick-off 3pm.