Ramsbottom United 2 Prescot Cables 0

RAMSBOTTOM made three enforced changes from the side that beat Maine Road 48 hours earlier.

The visitors opened strongly and Keith Neild was in early action saving from Gary Jensen.

Ramsbottom took time to settle on a heavily sanded pitch and in the opening 15 minutes never seriously troubled Paul Dahl in the Cables goal.

Prescott produced the better football and gave Ramsbottom a lot of defending to do with Neild producing a couple of excellent saves from Jensen and Steve O'Neill.

Ramsbottom had a great chance to grab the lead on 40 minutes but Dahl saved Chris Willcock's attempted lob when perhaps a square ball to the unmarked Chris Brookes would have been the better option.

The Rams got the second half underway in great style taking the lead on 47 minutes when Russ Brierley scored from Mike Langhorn's cross.

Langhorn had a guilt-edged opportunity to make it 2-0 but screwed his shot wide of the target. Tackles started to fly in as the game turned a little bad-tempered but on 60 minutes Ramsbottom doubled their lead with a tremendous goal by Brierley.

The Rams' leading scorer picked the ball up just inside his own half and out-paced the Prescott defence before firing a low drive past the advancing Dahl.

Prescott still looked dangerous but great defending by United with Mike Smith outstanding kept the home goal intact.

Having played second fiddle for most of the first half, Ramsbottom upped the tempo in the second period and deservedly took the three points.

Ramsbottom are away at Nantwich in NWCL Division One tomorrow.