Nelson went down to a two goal defeat against the Rams at Victoria Park .

Nelson were beaten by a classy Rambottom side at Victoria Park on Saturday.  The visitors looked strong in the opening period but Nelson looked capable of scoring goals at this stage. 

After 11 minutes, a good move on the left resulted in Ashley Higgins pulling the ball back across the penalty area but Barry Shuttleworth cleared for Ramsbottom before any Nelson forward could take advantage.  And, after 17 minutes, Anthony Young's through ball again released Higgins on the left but his cross was just too high for Lance Ogunyode in the goalmouth. 

At the other end, Chris Thompson made a good save from Bernard Morley's shot and Darren Wright made a good last ditch tackle to prevent Matthew Edgington from breaking clear.

 But Nelson should have been in front after 21 minutes when Lance Ogunyode broke clear of the visitors' defence but his shot was smothered by Rams keeper John Ogden.  And, as play swung to the other end, it was Ramsbottom who took the lead when a low cross from the right wing found Carl Lomax in front of goal with plenty of time to poke the ball home from close range.

The Rams doubled their lead after 38 minutes when Joel Pilkington's run into the penalty area produced a perfect cross for Anthony Johnson to head into the Nelson net with a textbook finish.  Two minutes later, Carl Lomax looked offside as he broke clear of the Nelson defence but was allowed to continue and his shot was well saved by Nelson keeper Chris Thompson.

In the second half, Nelson looked for a way back into the game but Ashley Higgins shot wide from a great position after 54 minutes and further chances for Higgins and Chris Ogunyode were wasted by shooting from too far out.  A series of through balls were over-hit and ran through to the visiting keeper giving the Nelson strikers no chance.  The Blues were denied a penalty on 69 minutes when Chris Ogunyode appeared to be pulled down in the area. 

With Nelson committed to attack, Matthew Ellis might have scored a third goal for Ramsbottom when he broke clear on 78 minutes only to be denied by a great tackle by Blues keeper Chris Thompson.

A well taken Nelson corner after 87 minutes, found James Oldroyd in front of goal but his glancing header flashed wide of the far post.  But, at the other end, Carl Lomax again forced a good save from Chris Thompson with a 20 yard shot on the turn.

Nelson travel to Holt House on Tuesday evening to meet Colne with a 7.45pm kick off in what promises to be a closely contested derby.