KEN Bridge's men rocked second-placed Kidsgrove by taking an early lead, but the reigning champions fought back superbly to record a deserved victory which keeps their title hopes firmly on track.

Kidsgrove had made a strong start and Rams keeper Paul Horridge was soon in action blocking Craig Walklet's shot from the edge of the box.

In the opening 10 minutes the Staffordshire visitors kept up the pressure but Ramsbottom defended confidently and gradually got themselves into the game.

On 16 minutes Kidsgrove were rocked back when the ball was knocked in from the right and former Bolton Wanderers youth team player Gareth Feeney scored from a tight angle.

A minute later Ramsbottom almost made it 2-0 when a good build up gave Danny Goodall a shooting chance but his fierce drive was a yard off target. Russell Brierley's strong run ended with him firing over the top but again Kidsgrove started to boss the midfield and they looked extremely dangerous as they searcherd for an equaliser. A quick break from Ramsbottom forced a diving save from Athletic keeper Bentley, it proved to be a vital stop with the unmarked Steve Orrell waiting to pounce.

The next Kidsgrove attack brought the equaliser from Paul Kiely who cut in from the left before beating Horridge with a well struck shot. In the final minute of the half the lead changed hands when Wayne Mountford scored from the edge of the box after Horridge had done well to keep out a Kiely effort.

With just three minutes of the second half played Kidsgrove had their keeper to thank as he flung himself to his right to charge down Orrell's drive after good work on the left by Feeney.

Kidsgrove conctinued to look the better side and scored a third goal on 63 minutes. A sweeping move created an opening for Walklet who gave Horridge no chance from ten yards.

In the closing minutes Ramsbottom came with a late flurry and enjoyed their best spell of the second half. Carl Trimble was desperately unlucky to see his 25-yard lob strike the crossbar with Bentley stranded off his line.

In the end, the defending champions deserved their three points, leaving Ramsbottom with just one win in their last seven games.

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