RAMSBOTTOM United beat hosts Ossett Albion 2-0 to move up to 15th in the Evo-Stik North table.

At the wonderfully-named Dimple Wells the Rams were victorious in what was their eighth away game in the last 10 league outings, with Sam Heathcote and Greg Daniels the men on target.

The starting XI showed two changes from their previous fixture a fortnight earlier with Heathcote and Liam Brownhill returning at the expense of Lee Gaskell and the suspended Jamie Rother.

The Rams broke the deadlock on 11 minutes when the ball was fed out towards wide man Phil Dean.

His cross found its way into the path of Heathcote, and his confidently-struck low finish from a narrow angle beat home keeper Brett Souter for his 11th goal of the season.

Second-bottom Albion responded swiftly and almost drew level on a couple of occasions, the second of which brought a fine save from Sam Ashton, tipping a goalbound effort over the bar to preserve the visitors’ lead.

Ramsbottom almost doubled their advantage when Eddie Moran’s superb cross found the unmarked Luke Thompson. His header beat Soutar but came back off the post before being scrambled to safety by the Ossett defence.

With half time approaching Ossett again tested Ashton with a powerful shot which the keeper palmed away before the Rams went close again, Daniels sending Jerome Wright away down the left hand channel to home in on goal, his shot bringing a good save from the home keeper to keep their slender advantage at 1-0 at the break.

The second period began with Ossett searching for a foothold in the match but the visitors almost increased their lead in the early moments of the half when a long throw into the box fell to Wright who fired over when handily placed.

As the hour mark approached the Rams defence were doing an excellent job of repelling Albion’s attacking forays with the ever-reliable Liam Brownhill and fellow full-back Ben Richardson both performing well and Thompson and Accrington loanee Zehn Mohammed forging an encouraging partnership at the heart of the defence.

Rammy again went close when, after a superb run and cross from Wright found Phil Dean, his goalbound shot was blocked by a last-ditch tackle from a defender.

The victory was sealed 15 minutes from time. A Wright corner was cleared to the edge of the penalty area where Richardson picked up the ball. His goalbound shot was deflected into the path of Daniels who finished neatly to give the Rams a two-goal cushion and some much-needed breathing space.

New recruits Jack Burgess and Chris Rushworth joined the fray, making their bows in Rams shirts to ensure there was no way back for Albion.

The final whistle signalled Rammy’s first away clean sheet of the season in a welcome and deserved victory from a match which may not live long in the memory for its quality but could spur the Rams on to an improved run of form for the busy schedule to come.

Manager Mark Fell said: “It’s refreshing to get a bit of what we deserve, the lads worked hard, pressed in numbers and created four or five great chances on top of the goals.

“It’s a small step but one in the right direction and I hope it gives us some impetus to go on a run, which we need.

“We know there isn’t margin for error at the moment and we need every single point and some momentum.”

n Rejuvenated by their win, Fell’s side reached the last eight of the Integro Cup with a 3-0 win at Mossley on Tuesday night.

Eddie Moran’s goal gave Rammy the lead at half time and Chris Rushworth and Jerome Wright struck late in the game to seal victory.