Playing with an extremely strong wind at their backs, Shelf took the lead after two minutes when Todd Reeday, trying to keep the ball low from a clearance, scuffed his kick which landed at the feet of an unmarked player 20 yards out who promptly sent the wind-assisted ball over the keeper. The same player missed a sitter when he put the ball over from two yards after it had come back off the foot of the post

The Rams struggled to get a foothold in the game as Shelf passed the ball confidently to feet on the artificial surface, something the Rams had difficulty achieving for the most of the half.

Two goals from Billy Grogan eight minutes apart put the home side three ahead on the half hour and a fourth goal three minutes before half-time put Shelf in a strong position but the Rams hit back a minute later with an expertly executed free kick into the top corner from Josh Baines.

Another quality goal two minutes after the break put the Rams right back in the game as Rory Thickett cut in from the left and hammered a shot high into the net. It was role reversal in the second half with Shelf busy on defensive duties as the Rams found their touch, leaving Reeday largely untroubled.

However, luck was not on their side. After 65 minutes a bullet of a free kick from Chris Gent rattled the bar and soon after he hit the post with another terrific strike and a third free kick from him evaded everyone and bounced narrowly wide of the far post. Jake Baker's shot was somehow saved by the keeper with his chest as the Rams pressed for that third goal which would have set up a grandstand finish.

It looked to have arrived five minutes from the end with the award of a penalty but Thickett put his effort way over the top. Another terrific strike from Gent, which the keeper punched away with both hands, signalled the Rams' final flourish in a game they could so easily have at least shared the points.

Rams: Reeday, Ackroyd (Dunne 38), Griffiths, Gent, Risdon (H.Janecki 80), Baines (Fearnley 45), Smee, Baker, Calland, J.Janecki, Thickett

Shelf Utd 4 Rams 2

Att: 32