The Rams suffered a second successive league defeat at Clitheroe as two first-half goals from Sefton Gonzales gave the hosts all three points at Shawbridge.
Manager Lee Donafee had made five changes to the side that lost 3-1 at home to Hanley Town just three days earlier, with Temi Ajibola making his first start in the league for Ramsbottom, as well as Charlie Monks being between the sticks for the first time in a Rams shirt.
Clitheroe lead inside the opening minute when Sefton Gonzales managed to get a touch onto a teasing cross from Reece Webb-Foster to send it past the onrushing Rams keeper.
The home side continued to keep up the relentless pressure in the early stages and they were able to extend their lead on 21 minutes once again through ex-Rammy man Sefton Gonzales. The two initial efforts were well stopped by Monks but Gonzales bundled it over the line to get his and his sides second of the evening.
The hosts continued to push forward and caused problems for their opposition and probably should have added a third on 37 minutes when Webb-Foster went agonisingly close again.
The visitor’s first real opportunity came in the 40th minute when Domaine Rouse took a quick freekick into Hasler-Cregg, he took a touch out of his feet a struck goal bound on the half turn but his effort went narrowly over the bar.
Ramsbottom came out of the blocks flying in the second half and should have pulled one back through Temi on 46 minutes but his effort went fractionally wide of the post. The Rams continued to be much more energetic and attack-minded in the early knockings of the second half and nearly pulled one back through Hasler-Cregg on 53 minutes but his effort was saved superbly.
The introduction of Dean, Creech and Fitzgerald seemed to give the Rams another lift and they should have certainly pulled one back after a blistering run forward from Dean, he then pulled it back to find Donaldson on the edge of the 18-yard box but the keeper was equal to his effort once again.
Despite the resurgence in the second half the away side just couldn’t find a way back into the game and Clitheroe did exceptionally well at seeing the game out in the latter stages. The home side clinched their first victory of the league campaign but left Ramsbottom still searching for theirs.
RAMSBOTTOM: Monks, Barlow, Collinge, Osi-Efa (Fitzgerald 63′), Hall, Holt, Hasler-Cregg (Creech 63′), Rouse, Ajibola, Donaldson, Radcliffe (Dean 54′)
Unused Subs: Grimshaw & Marshall-King
Attendance: 507
