A game that was seemingly progressing to a comfortable Ramsbottom United victory suddenly exploded with controversy as the final few minutes were played with a series of decisions that had the home crowd mystified and the away supporters wondering if a miraculous escape was on the cards.

The Rams took the lead in the ninth minute after some good work from Dominic Smalley. He gathered the ball just outside his own area before setting off down the right.

He played a one-two before sending Jordan Hulme through, and the youngster held off a challenge from a defender to flick the ball neatly past the advancing keeper.

The Rams took a firm grip on the game three minutes into the second half.

Malachi Slaven gathered the ball out on the left before skipping past a couple of defenders to fire home an unstoppable volley from just inside the box for a superb solo effort.

On 56 minutes, a shout for a penalty for handball was dismissed by the referee, who instead pointed for a corner. From the kick, Steve Howson jumped highest to power a header into the back of the net to give the Rams a 3-0 lead.

However, with three minutes remaining, Marine sensed an unlikely comeback as a loose ball in the area was deemed to have crossed the home side’s goal-line.

Another disputed decision in stoppage time saw John Shaw head home from a corner to give the visitors their second goal in eight minutes, but the Rams deservedly held on to gain their first home points of the season.

Ramsbottom United lost 3-1 to FC United on Saturday.

Despite missing four players through injury the Rams took an early lead at Stalybridge Celtic’s Bower Fold ground, Jordan Hulme heading home via a deflection off the underside of the bar.

Confusion in the Rams goal led to Tom Greaves equalising for FC United on the half hour mark, and he doubled the lead just before half time. Chris Lynch added the third in the second period.