RAMSBOTTOM United warmed up for their FA Trophy match against AFC Fylde in fine style with a convincing victory against bottom side Skelmersdale on Saturday.

After a five-goal haul against Glossop a week earlier the Rams went one better to take their unbeaten run to 11 games.

Hosts Rammy made the ideal start as, on eight minutes, a pass from Eddie Moran found Jamie Rainford whose superbly-timed ball set up Nic Evangelinos for a calm finish under the onrushing keeper Ryan Kirkman.

The visitors threatened when a corner was cleared to Connor Belger and his effort flew past Sam Ashton before flicking the top of the crossbar.

However, shortly after the let-off, Ramsbottom doubled their advantage. Rainford received the ball just inside the box and, after wriggling free of a couple of challenges, finished off the inside of the post for his sixth goal in a Rams shirt.

The lively Iyrwah Gooden struck the outside of the woodwork from a tight angle and, though the visitors struggled to remain in the match, Ashton was forced into action, pulling off a save at his near post.

As the half drew on Kieran Lugsden fired wide and Gooden brought a comfortable save from the keeper and the break came with the score 2-0.

Within a couple of minutes of the second half the game was all but over as a contest. Gooden picked up the ball in the left-hand channel and his mazy run took him past two defenders and to the edge of the area, from where he unleashed a shot that fizzed past Kirkman to give the Rams a 3-0 lead.

Gooden was at the heart of Ramsbottom’s fourth as, after rounding Kirkman in a one-on-one situation, an outstretched hand brought him down for a penalty, dispatched by Evangelinos.

To Skelmersdale’s credit they continued to cause some uncertainty in the home defence with Ashton called upon twice in quick succession

As the contest entered the final 10 minutes the Rams matched their scoreline from the win at Glossop, Eddie Moran, Ruben Jerome and Jamie Rainford combining well before Rainford fired home from close range.

Skelmersdale’s miserable afternoon was completed in stoppage time, Rainford sending in Ruben Jerome, on as a substitute after a three-game suspension, who beat the offside trap and finished neatly.

The victory puts Rammy in a confident mood ahead of their eagerly-anticipated and historic FA Trophy third-round encounter at the Riverside on Saturday.