Goals by Matt Kay and Andy Sensale where not enough as the Rams lost to Formby for the second time this season.

It was another tale of missed chances for the Rams as they once again created many opportunities to at least come away with a point.

Debutant Mike Brierley made a promising start to his Ramsbottom career and was unlucky not to put the Rams level in the 43rd minute when he shrugged off the challenge of the Formby defence to unleash a powerful shot that the visiting keeper did well to save.

The game started with the Rams putting the Formby defence under pressure but they failed to really test the keeper.

Matt Eckersley made promising runs down the left and he created several opportunities with some excellent crossing of the ball but unfortunately for him and the home supporters the chances went begging.

Formby where quick on the counter attack and they took the lead in fortunate circumstances when they were awarded a freekick midway through the Rams half.   The Rams players where furious with the officials as they felt it was a very soft decision to award.

The freekick was taken and as the ball fell inside the Rams area, there was an almighty scuffle as both Ramsbottom and Formby players tried in vain to get to the ball first.   Unluckily for the Rams it was Miller who responded with a shot that bypassed John Ogden in goal and the ball found its way into the net.

ABOVE : Formby take the lead in the 36th minute

This was Formbys first real attempt on the Rams goal and to some it came against the run of play.

However, the Rams picked themselves up and in the 43rd minute new signing Brierley somehow found himself shrugging off the challenges of the Formby defence and his final shot was well saved by the Formby keeper.

Two minutes later and Formby found themselves two goals in front when a fine diagonal cross found Jones racing forwards and with Ogden coming off his line he expertly chipped the advancing keeper and the ball landed in the net.

The second half saw a Ramsbottom onslaught from the whistle and they almost got themselves back into the game when Matt Eckerlsey raced onto a long ball but unfortunately the visiting keeper read the situation well and he came out to clear the ball from just outside the area.

ABOVE : Matt Eckersley goes close to scoring

Almost instantly the Rams finally got back into the game when, almost similar to Formbys second goal, Matt Kay raced forwards and with the keeper coming off his line he lobbed the ball over the stranded shot-stopper and into the net.

The Rams pressed forwards at this stage but Formby looked extremely dangerous on the attack and they broke the home supporters hearts with a tremendous third goal in the 73rd minute.

Jones took possession of the ball just inside the Rams area and with two touches he hit a fantastic shot towards the top left of Ogdens goal giving the Rams keeper no chance.

ABOVE : Jones hits a tremendous third goal for Formby

The Rams could have been forgiven for throwing in the towel at this stage but they still continued to play football and to their credit they got a deserved second goal in the 87th minute from a corner kick.   The ball was whipped into the area and Andy Sensale rose the highest to head the ball into the net with the keeper beaten.

Unluckily for the Rams this was the last action of the game as the referee brought matters to an end.

Again, wasted chances came back to haunt the Rams.  However, there were promising signs - most notably Mike Brierley who looks as though he will be a real handful for defenders when he is match fit.

Lee McNally and Matty Kay where also in the thick of most of the action and they are starting to look a formidable pairing.

Formby to their credit looked a very useful side and out of the four real chances they created they scored three times.    If the Rams could take a leaf out of their book on how to finish off promising moves then it wont be long before they are starting to climb up the table.