RAMSBOTTOM United's disappointing run of away results continued with a 3-2 defeat at Skelmersdale United in Evo-Stik North on Saturday.

Mark Fell's men fell to their fourth straight loss on the their travels, conceding the winner 10 minutes from time after twice being pegged back in the first half.

Loan defender Tom Stead was handed a start, alongside Sam Heathcote in the heart of the back four, after signing on loan from Preston, while Grant Spencer made his 200th appearance and the returning Phil Dean slotted straight in.

After an even start, Heathcote opened the scoring for the visitors on 16 minutes, heading in a Jerome Wright corner for his fifth goal of the season.

But Skelmersdale levelled from the penalty spot three minutes later after a free kick was adjudged to have been handled by a member of the Rammy wall.

Andrew Owens fired the spot kick into the top corner to give Rams keeper Danny Taberner no chance.

Greg Daniels made it three goals in the space of five minutes to put Rammy straight back in front, pouncing to stroke home the loose ball after the Skelmersdale defence failed to clear a Wright cross.

Fell would have been satisfied to make it to half time a goal to the good, but his new-look defence was unable to get to grips with home striker Owens, who wriggled free and slid a pass to Mahoney that he dispatched to make it 2-2 before the break.

Dean had a chance to put Rammy back in front at the start of the second half, but his effort was blocked.

The second period proved much more cagey than the first.

Neither side fashioned another opening before Taberner was forced to pull off a fine save with 15 minutes remaining.

It was a shot across the bows that Rammy failed to heed as Owens fired a free kick into the top corner five minutes later and it proved to be the winner.