Ramsbottom United 4 Redditch United 1

REDDITCH were left red faced having been subjected to a masterclass in finishing by lower-ranked Ramsbottom in the FA Trophy.

Within two minutes of new striker Simeon Cobourne spurning an early opening for the Reds, the hosts seized the initiative through Ryan Salmon and rarely looked back on a bleak night in Greater Manchester.

Cobourne was played through one-on-one with home keeper Charlie Albinson after 13 minutes but failed to convert and Salmon soon notched the first of his brace when he stooped low to head in a corner.

Gareth Seddon, a regular menace to Redditch during their Conference North clashes with the likes of Hyde United, rolled back the years with some clever movement before firing a left-footed shot beyond Brad Catlow from just outside the box on 32 minutes.

Reds rallied and Cobourne had a strong penalty shout waved away by referee Ian Johnston on the stroke of half-time. Player-boss Darren Byfield, on as a half-time substitute, then headed narrowly wide with an hour played but any hope of a recovery went up in smoke with 15 minutes left.

It was Salmon who bettered his previous effort, almost taking to his knees to nod home and all but seal Ramsbottom’s safe passage and the £3,250 prize bounty.

Catlow’s miscued clearance from the byline dropped for Alex Meaney to find the net from 30-plus yards as the clock struck 90 and although Luke Shearer bagged a stoppage-time consolation, it was a long and miserable road trip back to the Valley Stadium.

Reds: Catlow 6, Cullinane-Liburd 6, Brown 4 (Kelly, 34, 6), LOVERIDGE 7*, McDonald 6, Courtney 7, Bako 5, Ali 5 (Byfield, h-t, 7), Shearer 7, Cobourne 6, Apostolopoulos 6 (Young, 65, 6).