Author: Nigel Jepson

Following the 3-0 defeat at Glossop at the weekend, the Rams found themselves only three days later facing a challenging home fixture against a team boasting an impressive away record.

Manager Lee Donafee kept faith with the same starting line-up for Saturday’s home match against play-off contenders Clitheroe.

Three home defeats on the trot isn’t a welcome way of bringing in the New Year but the reality on this occasion was that the team kept trying their hardest until sunk by two very late goals.

The Rams showed they are capable of playing well for 45 minutes but not the whole 90 as ‘second half-itis’ struck yet again.

The Rams went into this game looking to capitalise on the away team’s poor run of results and earn a victory to start the new year in style.

Lee Donafee showed faith in the team that beat Widnes last week, fielding the same line-up again for this match against Kidsgrove Athletic, a side sitting just above the Rams in the league.

What had initially looked to be something of a stroll in the park ended up a much closer contest than it need have been.