Atherton Colls...0, Ramsbottom Utd...2

GOALS from Chris Willcock and Steve Orrell put Ramsbottom on course for an improved finish in the league this season.

The hard, uneven surface presented both teams with problems and after a frantic opening 15 minutes it became obvious that constructive football was a non-starter.

With Collieries battling for every ball it was a night when the Rams needed to grind out a result.

Danny Goodall came close to opening the scoring in the 19th minute when he showed Beckham-type vision with a 45-yard lob that caught Andy Almond off his line. Unfortunately, for United the ball drifted outside the right-hand post.

A couple of minutes later Russell Brierley had a good opening, but pulled his final shot wide of the Atherton goal.

The home side then applied pressure as experienced skipper Paul Griffen headed a yard wide and bustling striker Martin Sloan fired over the top.

Almond then produced a good stop from Chris Brookes as Ramsbottom edged the attacking play. Then, minutes before the break, Ramsbottom took the lead when Neil Wallace headed on Mike Langhorn's free-kick and Chris Willcock found the Atherton net with a right-foot shot.

As the first half ended, United should have gone two in front after Brookes' surging run through the middle provided Goodall with a clear chance, but the midfielder's shot was wide of the target.

At the start of the second half Ramsbottom had Steve Orrell on for the injured Willcock and in the opening minute went close to doubling their lead when Goodall's drive flew just wide.

Play became scrappy with neither side creating any clear chances, although Collieries Brett Goulding should have done better when, from a tight angle, he shot high over Keith Nield's goal. Two minutes from the end of normal time an Atherton free-kick bounced on top of the Rams' crossbar and then Ramsbottom wrapped things up with a second goal, Orrell getting a final touch to Darren Bowman's driven free-kick.

Three minutes into stoppage time Sloan shot wide from the penalty spot, but perhaps justice was done, for the decision by the linesman was harsh in the extreme.

Ramsbottom now move into fourth place in the table and, with five games still to play, have equalled last season's total of 79 points.

RAMSBOTTOM UNITED: Nield 6, Porter 7, Smith 6, Thomas 6, Langhorn 6, Wallace 6, D Bowman 7, Brookes 6, Goodall 6, Brierley 7, Willcock 6. Substitutes: Orrell (for Willcock, 46 mins) 6, Cameron (for Wallace, 80 mins). Not used: Morris.

The Rams are at Skelmersdale United tomorrow and Woodley Sports on Tuesday, a game which is being played at Flixton's ground.

On Friday May 11 the Rams entertain Skelmersdale at the Riverside (kick-off 7.45pm).