nwcl challenge cup round three

Winsford United 0 Ramsbottom United 2

CHALLENGE Cup holders Winsford bowed out at the third round stage on Saturday after failing to make their possession count.

Bernard Morley made Blues custodian Andrew Jones save smartly in the second minute, then Winsford cursed their luck when Ryan Stewart’s curving corner hit the bar.

They cursed again when Mark Ayres headed the visitors in front from a corner.

Blues’ best chance fell to Daley Woods when he came face-to-face with Rams goalkeeper Grant Shenton, but he blocked brilliantly to preserve the visitors’ lead.

Ramsbottom doubled their lead before the break, Lee Gaskell converting a penalty after Danny Thomas felled Grant Spencer in the area.

Thomas headed against the woodwork with seven minutes left, but by then it was too late.