Record-breaking Rammy are simply gr-eight

Travelling supporters braved an icy wind interspersed with torrential rain and freezing conditions but it was well worth the effort for a match which will long live in their memories

City of Liverpool, playing in purple, started brightly and caused the Rams problems at the back but a breakaway instigated by Oscar Radcliffe on ten minutes saw a wonderful driven cross from the right to be jabbed in at the second attempt by Matt Dudley – and provide a portent of what was to come.

Rams in red, played with precision and power, albeit with an economy of possession but lethal on the counterattack. The shapeshifting intelligent movement of the front players resembles a kaleidoscope and is a nightmare for those trying to mark them.

The second goal, created by Radcliffe, arrived only four minutes later as Dudley forced home from a central position.

Strike partner, Jacob Holland Wilkinson delighted Rams fans by signing a contract committing himself to the club and was not to be denied, An intricate passing move from a corner led to his finding space in the box. The ultras knew exactly what was to follow as he calmly picked his spot and fired into the far corner past Aspinal

Minutes later came his second as this time horned Wilkinson got into the box to finish off another flowing move.

Between the goals came some home possession - without ever truly hurting the visitors, with a long distance effort sailing over Brad Rose's crossbar

There was a curious moment when Rose charged out, and impetus took him beyond the box for a rather harsh yellow - but as nothing to the home custodian James Aspinall who did similar and astonishingly received a red, just on the cusp of half time

After a lengthy delay his replacement Joseph Angus made a fine save to keep out Holland- Wilkinson's rasping low drive.

As the second half got underway the pattern resumed.

A flowing move down the right led to another delicious Radcliffe cross - fired in off the underside of the bar by hard-working Corey Stacey.

Number six arrived from Hayhurst who advanced and scored with a fine shot from the edge of the box, while two minutes later Matt Dudley had his hattrick in meeting a deep cross with a fine arcing header over Angus to find the top of the net.

Rams eased off and the home side fashioned a couple of chances on the break, one smashed against the inside of the post before ricocheting to safety, whilst glove-man Rose produced another flying save inbeating away a fierce Milne drive and preserving the clean sheet.

Henry Ogunby and the heavy artillery arrived with a series of substitutions as Steve Wilkes closed out the remaining quarter of the game with Teague and the Sephton brothers adding heir heft and experience to the fray.

The home team's woes were not yet done, deep into injury time a move down the right saw a low cross whipped into the box with the mobile Braganza arrived to tap the ball home and round off a stellar performance by the Rams.

It's all very well to think of any prize which might await next April but supporters should enjoy the here and now. Steve Wilkes celebrated his thirteen hundredth game in management with one of finest away victories in Ramsbottom’s history. The team arrived on the back of nine straight wins and only one goal - a penalty – conceded in the calendar month. They sit on fifty points, from only twenty games to top the division. The contribution of coach Rob Henry should also be recognised, with slick ground passing routines, applied at pace in real-world settings by astute players, repeatedly tearing teams apart.

Rams will take some stopping on form like this but spare a thought for City of Liverpool. Without a home of their own and their sparse crowd reeling - many stood in wet and cold conditions waiting as the visitors finished their on-field celebrations - before applauding them off the pitch. This, perhaps, represents the true soul of football, something of which the game’s 1863 founders at Great Queen Street would surely have been proud.