Radcliffe Borough physio Ronnie Evans offered no excuses for his side’s dismal performance in the local derby against Ramsbottom United last weekend, but has urged his players to put things right with victory over Prescot Cables on Saturday.

The Stainton Park side were crushed 8-0 by their high-flying neighbours in Evo-Stik Division One North to remain second from bottom in the league, with just 19 points from 27 games.

“It was disappointing. We were very poor,” said Evans.

“Full credit to Ramsbottom; they were very good and would have beaten anybody with that display, but it still doesn’t give us any excuse to be beaten 8-0.

“They found our weakness at the back and on the flanks and they exposed it.

“The match was so one-sided it was really frightening. “Just like the England cricket team, we were outplayed and out- bullied.

“You can’t lie about it, we were awful.”

However, Evans did reserve some praise for defensive duo James Mullineux and Dan Lafferty.

“James did really well and so did Dan. Without those two the scoreline would have been even worse.

“The two older lads in midfield – Simon Carden and Chris Thompson – did okay too, but there were too many players not at the races,” said Evans, who is now looking for a response from his players.

The strugglers host fourth from bottom Prescot on Saturday and are at bottom-of-the-league, Ossett Albion on February 1.

“Whatever happens we’ve got to improve and win the next two games,” said Evans.

“In some ways the Ramsbottoms and Warringtons are not the teams we need to be worrying about. It’s the teams around us like the Ossetts and Prescots. “We’ve really got to catch up points on them and take points off them, especially at home.

“It’s going to be very interesting to see how the players respond. It’s going to show their character now to bounce back from that.

Evans is hopeful defender Danny Lambert will be fit to start on Saturday. Lambert, who was an unused sub against the Rams, will certainly offer Glendon’s men a boost at the back.

“He’s back in training and hopefully he can sort out one of the problem positions for us,” said Evans.

“Obviously Kevin is trying like mad to get a few new players in. “He is trying to build for next year, so the next couple of games will be important for the lads he wants to keep for next season.”

“Everyone could see on Saturday where he’s got to improve it, and he’s trying really hard behind the scenes,” said Evans.