A LATE blunder from goalkeeper Chris Cheetham saw Ramsbottom United crash out of the Emirates FA Cup at the preliminary-round stage following a 2-1 defeat at home to Evo-Stik First Division South side Sheffield FC.

The former Radcliffe Borough stopper could only parry a high ball into the box and his attempt to punch it clear rebounded into the net off the head of Sheffield's Lee Cooksey.

The goal turned out to be the winner after Alex Meaney had earlier cancelled out Sheffield FC's opener.

Reece Treasure put the visitors in front on 31 minutes, deflecting a Hafeez Hamzat cross past Cheetham at the far corner.

But Meaney levelled five minutes before the break with a fine strike, firing a low drive under the dive of Sheffield keeper Chris Butt from 30 yards.

Cheetham used his legs to block an effort from substitute Alec Denton on 63 minutes, and the referee came to the home side's rescue minutes later, ruling the ball had not fully crossed the line as Sheffield celebrated what they thought was a goal following a goalmouth scramble.

But the visitors did not have long to wait for the winner.

It was later announced that Cheetham had left the club due to personal reasons. The Wigan-based stopper played just three competitive games for the Rams.

Joint managers Paul Fildes and Mark Fell must now find a replacement before tomorrow night's home league game against Burscough.