Ramsbottom United concluded the season with a late defeat at the hands of Clitheroe FC. The hosts managed by former Ram Billy Priestley ran out 3-2 winners.
Lee Donafee made one change to the team that faced Trafford, Luke Barlow replaced Seydou Bamba, who was missing through injury.
Tom Stewart was called into action early on as he made a great save to deny Sefton Gonzales, from the resulting corner, the hosts had the ball in the net but the assistant adjudged it offside.
Clitheroe took the lead not long after, a free kick was placed into a busy penalty area, Priestley missed an overhead kick opportunity before Ross Dent poked home from a few yards out.
Alex Turner almost doubled their lead, after his shot flashed across the front of Tom Stewart’s goal as nobody could get on the end of it.
The Rams drew level on 18 minutes, Tony Donaldson with a peach of a strike into the top left corner following a great ball forward from Michael Fitzgerald.
After a quiet period in the game, Donaldson nearly added a second, but he saw his effort looped over the bar.
Top-scorer Domaine Rouse added Rammy’s second on the stroke of half-time, after a defensive collision, he rounded the Clitheroe goalkeeper to add his 11th of the season.
George Wyatt kept the lead intact in the opening minutes of the second half, as he headed off the line to deny Joel Byrom.
As the second half progressed, Clitheroe were building pressure. Danny Wilkins ran the ball into the box, his cross was claimed well by Stewart.
Clitheroe drew level with just under 20 minutes remaining, Priestley headed home from a Wilkins corner.
Stewart continued his great recent form throughout the second half, as he held onto a good shot from Jamie Edwards.
Both sides were pushing for a winner in the final minutes. Tom Hartley, James Ormrod & Kayle Power were brought on for the Rams to add some fresh legs.
Hartley had a couple of half-chances down the right wing that looked like they’d bring danger but came to nothing.
The hosts scored their winner late in stoppage time, Max Cane slotted home to snatch all three points for the side from the Ribble Valley.
RAMSBOTTOM: Stewart, Fitzgerald, Kennedy (Power 89’), Osi-Efa (Ormrod 81’), Barlow, Wyatt, Collinge, Rother, Rouse, Donaldson, Grimshaw (Hartley 76’).
Unused subs: Parker, Campbell.
ATTENDANCE: 876
