A trip to title-chasing Wythenshawe Town was always going to prove a tough encounter, and tough it was in more ways than one as Ramsbottom United suffered a last-gasp 2-1 defeat, writes Tony Cunningham.

The battle during the first half, was mainly contained between the two penalty areas, with very little to threaten either keeper, until the deadlock was broken on 42 minutes.

Pressure from the visitors saw two close range efforts thwarted with the ball finally going out for a corner.

Finn Bartram put the ball into the box which was partially cleared to the edge of the area where Harvey Hayhurst, with his back to goal, turned superbly to fire home an unstoppable volley.

The home side came out for the second 45 minutes determined to level things, but despite their efforts, the Rams defence grouped together to repel whatever was thrown at them.

Tom Bentham saw his header sail wide of the Rams post, whilst Severino’s effort took a deflection to clear the away bar before the Rams breathed a sigh of relief as a shot struck the base of the post before George Boyd could only find the side netting.

The visitors ensured that it would not be all one-way traffic, as they created a number of chances of their own.

Kayle Power was inches away from connecting with a through ball, as was Sephton as he tried to reach a tempting cross in from the right.

However, the determination of the Town team finally paid off on 72 minutes, when a ball played in from the right found former Burnley midfielder Boyd who calmly slotted home the equaliser.

This did not deflate the hard-working Rams, whose entire squad put in a determined and admirable show, and just two minutes later Bartram fired in a thunderbolt that Hall in the Wythenshawe goal, did well to parry out, with Hayhurst’s follow-up blocked.

But, and not for the first time this season, as the game entered time added on, a long punt into the box from the Wythenshawe left was returned from the far side for Boyd to again be in the right place to plant home what was to prove the winner.