STONE DOMINOES 1

Inconsistency in front of goal came back to haunt the Rams as they failed to win a match they totally dominated.

After creating enough chances to win a host of matches, Lee Sculpher's men will be disappointed with yet another draw against a Dominoes side struggling at the bottom of the table.

Despite cutting through the defence with ease, the Rams contrived to miss chances, but most worryingly was the lack of work that Stone goalkeeper Doug Hughes had to do.

However, with Matt Barnes returning from injury in the future, competition for places will increase in a hope that the strikers will find some form.

The Rams were forced into a couple of changes after the midweek thumping of Holker, with hat-trick hero Lee Cryer unavailable Anthony Johnson was given another chance to shine alongside Stuart Cartridge.

After a quiet opening the Rams took the lead with their first real threat on the Stone goal.

Danny Hartley beat the Stone fullback and after cutting infield he drove the ball across the six-yard box.

Cartridge flicked the ball towards the far corner where his partner in crime Johnson was on hand at the back post to knock the ball over the line from three yards.

The goal ignited the Rams into action and throughout the first half they managed to break down a fragile Stone defence at will, but with finishing more suited to a Sunday league match, they could not extend their advantage.

On 17 minutes Steve Macdonald floated a dangerous free kick into the penalty area and following Barrie Hart's controlled header, Johnson drove the ball agonisingly over the upright with Hughes well beaten.

Johnson was a constant thorn in the Stone defence and his partnership with Cartridge began to flourish as the creativity throughout the side allowed the strikers numerous opportunities to get their name on the score sheet.

Macdonald continued to torment the Stone fullback with his direct runs and after being hauled over on the edge of the box, Graham Price floated the ball harmlessly over the crossbar despite the presence of dead ball expert Hart, who will be disappointed not to have had a strike himself.

Martin Campbell and his defenders were having a quiet afternoon with the Rams midfield dominating proceedings, and it was no surprise when another clear-cut opportunity arrived on 40 minutes, Price once again the culprit of firing the ball high and wide over Hughes' crossbar.

Worryingly for the Rams as the half came to end was the withdrawal of Chris Steele through injury - the Rams have yet to lose since his return from a lengthy layoff.

The second half was much of the same, with another host of chances going begging, mainly through poor finishing.

But credit must also be given to Hughes who pulled off a string of fine saves to deny the misfiring home side.

On 52 minutes substitute Liam McManus delivered a teasing cross, but at the back post Johnson volleyed the ball wide of the post from six yards.

Player-manager Lee Sculpher introduced both Adam Cook and Matt Walsh in a hope that the Rams could score a second and seal the three points.

On the hour mark his wishes almost came true when Cook fired a low cross towards Cartridge, but his instinctive flick towards goal was well smothered by Hughes and cleared to safety.

The same player missed another glorious chance on 81 minutes when Johnson beat two defenders and after laying off to Cartridge, the striker drove the ball towards the top corner only to see Hughes fly to his left and palm the ball around the post for a corner.

As the match entered the final ten minutes, the visitors began to believe that they could win the game.

Despite seeing more possession inside the Rams' half, they never looked likely to threaten Campbell's goal, due to the well marshalled defence led by newly appointed skipper John Blackley.

However, heartbreak for the Rams arrived on 87 minutes when Stone substitute Liam Shepherd drifted beyond two defenders and, after reaching the edge of the area, nonchalantly flicked the ball beyond Campbell and into the back of the net.

The Rams have gone 12 matches without defeat and normally this would be an excellent record, but unfortunately this will be dampened by the fact that a number of these results could have been so much better if the finishing had been up to standard, although the defence continues to impress.

The Rams now await both League Cup and United Co-operative Challenge Cup draws this week, before entertaining Atherton LR on Saturday in a re-arranged game, kick off at the Riverside is 3pm.

Ramsbottom United: Campbell, Massey, Dervish, Blackley, Hart, Price, Hartley, Steele, Cartridge, Johnson, Macdonald. Subs: Cook (for Hartley), Walsh (for Price), McManus (for Steele).

Christopher Boothman