Ramsbottom United were beaten at home for the first time in the league this season, going down 2-1 to FC Isle of Man on Tuesday night, writes Aaron Benson.

Despite taking an eighth minute lead through Harvey Hayhurst, second half goals from Tom Creer and Luke Booth saw IOM take all three points. To make matters worse, the home side finished the night with 10 men after Scott Sephton was sent off after picking up two yellow cards.

Manager Steve Wilkes made three changes to the side held 1-1 by Glossop at the weekend. Henry Ogunby replaced the injured Oscar Radcliffe with Andy Teague and Tom Hoyle coming in for Cullen Meadowcroft and Josh Tinker.

The early stages proved difficult for both back lines with a flurry of chances for each team of attackers. After the Rams fluffed a chance in front of goal after just 20 seconds, the visitors went up the other end with Creer’s effort needing a Brad Rose save to keep the Rams level.

Left wing back Hayhurst broke the deadline within 10 minutes, however. Latching onto a cross from the right-hand side, the number three’s shot hit the underside of the crossbar which sent the net bulging.

The opening moments proved frantic, with keeper Brad Rose and goalscorer Hayhurst keeping the score level. After Rose kept out Booth’s effort with a smart save, Hayhurst’s goal line block then denied Creer an equaliser.

Teague thought he had put Rammy 2-0 but his header was chalked off after a high elbow from the defender.

The league’s early pace setters then missed a flurry of chances to put the game beyond IOM. First, Tom Hoyle’s long-range shot was blocked by Killey, then Sam Baines denied the frontman again with a goal-saving challenge.

Oumar Camara missed a series of close-range chances, while Hayhurst missed an opportunity to score his second of the night just before the break.

With both sides missing a chance each at the start of the second half, neither side looked potent in front of goal. Paul Jones’ side had other ideas, however. FC Isle of Man levelled in the 68th minute with Creer firing home the equaliser.

Rammy remained positive after the leveller and responded well and fell victim to a series of remarkable saves by Killey. The keepers’ save to keep out Camara was arguably the game's defining moment - coming at a time when the Rams had regained the momentum.

But disaster struck for Rammy in the 84th minute when Luke Booth scored the winner. Picking up a loose ball in midfield, Ronan McDonnell’s long clearance forward met Booth who lifted an effort over a helpless Rose. To make matters worse, Scott Sephton’s night ended early after picking up a second yellow card offence. Consequently, Sephton will now miss next week’s league encounter with rivals Bury.

Steve Wilkes was unsurprisingly despondent at the close of play.

“Once again our finishing has cost us," he said.

“We simply cannot keep missing the chances we are creating. These aren’t difficult chances. Over the last two games we’ve missed eight opportunities in the six yard box. That simply isn’t good enough.

“The good thing is, we are creating the chances, but we need to start putting them away.”