DESPITE the perfect start Ramsbottom United slipped to a 2-1 defeat at home to play-off chasing Colwyn Bay on Tuesday evening.

It was Rammy’s second straight defeat, coming three days after Saturday’s 4-0 loss at a clinical South Shields side who look a good bet for the Evo-Stik North title.

They will hope for better fortunes when they travel to take on Atherton Collieries in a League Cup quarter-final tonight.

The Rams led against Colwyn Bay on four minutes, a speculative Jamie Rother shot from 25 yards flew past keeper Matt Cooper and into the top corner.

But two goals in quick succession around the half-hour mark turned the game on its head.

Danny Bartle evened up the match with a shot that took a deflection to beat Sam Ashton.

Bartle was again involved when Colwyn Bay took the lead moments later, playing the pass for centre-back Gareth Grant to stretch out a leg and divert the ball in off the inside of the post.

Those goals gave the away side the confidence to dominate the rest of the half which passed without any clear chances at either end.

Rammy almost drew level in the second half when Tom Brooks’ rasping shot was tipped over by Cooper.

The keeper was called into action again to deny Chris Rushworth as he homed in on goal and, as Rammy’s attempts to level the match grew more desperate, Colwyn Bay’s defence stood firm in the face of several set-pieces and Jamie Rainford went close to settling the contest but, although Ashton pulled off a smart save to keep the Rams’ hopes alive, they fell to a sixth home defeat of the league season.

Manager Mark Fell said: “We’ve been undone by two deflected goals, it’s sickening, it would be nice to win one we don’t deserve. I can’t fault the lads’ effort – five games in nine days is a massive ask and some are already playing through the pain barrier.

“But they’re not moaning, just getting on with it and hopefully will get the rub of the green on Thursday night.”