RAMSBOTTOM United were 3-1 winners against Nelson at Little Wembley in Saturday’s latest pre-season fixture.

The Rams, who now look close to having found a settled starting XI, made the perfect opening and led within a minute of kick-off.

Jack Higgs’ pass sent Luke Jordan racing past the full-back and his low cross into the danger area was turned in by Lee Gaskell.

Although Nelson struggled to make an impact on the Rams rearguard they equalised against the run of play with half an hour gone.

A swift breakaway opened up the Ramsbottom defence and right winger James Wolfenden sent a low shot past Sam Ashton’s outstretched hand from just inside the penalty area.

With no real attacking fluency shown by either side for the rest of the half the break came with the teams locked at 1-1.

The hosts had the first chance of the second half but the shot from distance failed to trouble Ashton.

Several changes by both managers punctured the flow of the match before Rammy flickered into life when the classy Higgs unleashed a long-range attempt which just cleared the angle of post and crossbar.

The frame of the goal rescued the Rams twice in quick succession when a corner caused chaos in their defence. However, as the ball was cleared midway into the Nelson half a defensive slip-up was seized upon by Jerome Wright, who charged on and clinically found the back of the net to give the Rams a 2-1 lead.

Nelson then pushed forward in search of a second equaliser, which led to a number of Rammy chances being created in the closing minutes.

With only moments remaining the result was put beyond doubt when Dominic Marie pounced, stooping to fizz a header past the Admirals’ keeper, his second goal in successive appearances.

Mark Fell’s men are next in action on Saturday when they travel to Pontefract Collieries. Kick off is 3pm.