Pic: Dave Birt

Chasetown FC picked up a precious point at Ramsbottom to lift themselves off the foot of the table.

Pic: Dave Birt

It looked to be more of the same for the Scholars when their opponents took the lead after 15 minutes after a corner to the far post was headed home by an unmarked Luke Thompson.

Ramsbottom keeper Sam Ashton had to dive at Will Whieldon’s feet to deny the visitors an equaliser.

But the home side doubled their lead when Sam Luke was adjudged to have conceded a foul and Jerome Wright converted the spot kick.

Chasetown got a goal back when the hosts failed to deal with a corner and Josh Beaumont hooked the ball back across for George Cater whose effort squirmed under Ashton’s body and over the line.

In first half stoppage time great play from Cater and Whieldon set up Jon Beaumont, but he was denied by a last ditch tackle.

Ramsbottom almost sneaked a third goal against the run of play but although Ruben Jerome went round Curtis Pond, substitute Matty Hardiman cleared the ball off the line.

Chasetown sub Muzzy Nduna then went close to levelling the score forcing a strong save from Ashton with a powerful header.

The visitors kept knocking the door and Ashton denied Jon Beaumont’s header from a long Jimmy O’Neill throw in, before kicking away a Cater effort as he bore down on goal.

Finally, the Scholars made it two apiece as Ramsbottom failed to deal with O’Neill’s throw and Cater volleyed through a crowded penalty area.