Despite suffering defeat in the last minute a week ago, the Rams were buoyed by a good performance and were hopeful of a good showing against Springfield.

Springfield started the brighter of the two teams as they looked to release their powerful forwards, but the Rams were able to restrict them to efforts from distance, the closest of which was tipped over the bar by Sam Morris in the Rams goal. Gradually the Rams managed to get a foothold in the game, getting the ball on the deck and passing around Springfield's aggressive press.

A nice interchange between Tommy Pinkerton and Pat Cannon saw Rich Georgiou released down the right hand side. His testing cross asked questions of the Springfield backline and with Pinkerton waiting in the middle it was important to clear, which the defender ultimately did well, although he was in danger of putting into his own net. Another chance broke for Matt Pooley, who managed to fend off his marker despite being pulled back. But his shot was tame and the keeper collected easily.

Springfield took the lead in controversial fashion after 35 minutes. A corner was delivered in from the left-hand side where it was met by the head of forward Bailey Moss. Sam Morris managed to get a hand to it to take out the sting, but it continued goalwards where Matt Pooley was able to clear. To the shock of all on the balcony who could see that the ball wasn't close to crossing the line, the referee blew his whistle and awarded the goal.

The Rams rallied and were level just four minutes later. Dan Carr's delivery from a corner was only partially cleared. Last week's goalscorer Matt Pooley pulled the trigger but scuffed it towards Rich Georgiou, who hit it well on the turn, guiding it inside the left-hand post from 12 yards out.

With Jacob Meads sent into the sin bin, the Rams knew they would need to dig in to see out the half with 10 men, but they very nearly took the lead. Rams defender Josh Arrowsmith played a long ball forward to Tommy Pinkerton who nodded on towards Billy Ransome. The ball found its way back to Pinkerton and he charged between the two Springfield defenders, where he was felled by a desperate lunging tackle on the edge of the box. After consulting with his assistant, the referee had no option but to permanently reduce Springfield to 10 men. From the resulting freekick, Pat Cannon forced a very good save from the young Springfield goalkeeper and it seemed as if Stuart Greaves would have an easy tap in on follow up, but he put his effort wide of the target.

1-1 at half time with the Rams growing in stature within the game and the visitors now down to 10 men, they entered the second half confident of delivering a win for the supporters gathered at the Bell End.

Springfield had reshuffled as a result of the red card and took to the field without "goal scorer" Bailey Moss, who has often been a handful in previous games against the Rams. But it was testament to Stuart Greaves, Josh Arrowsmith and Sam Gray at the back that he was kept relatively quiet.

Rams got their winner on 69 minutes. A freekick was awarded near the corner, after some good work by Man of the Match Billy Ransome. Dan Carr's left-footed delivery was perfect, finding the run of Tommy Pinkerton who was able to power home with a good header. It was no less than the Rams deserved.

Carr nearly added to the Rams' lead himself, delivering a whipped corner which struck the crossbar but the Rams were unable to add to their lead.

Springfield still had chances. A freekick was delivered into the box and the Rams failed to clear. It broke for one of the Springfield men who was able to dink it over the onrushing Sam Morris and towards one of the forwards in the middle. It looked like he would have a tap in, but Rams defender Sam Gray made a great clearance before the ball could cross the line.

As Springfield threw men forward in the dying minutes, Rich Georgiou was able to break through on goal. He too was felled by a challenge through the back of him, just as he was about to pull the trigger. But with no official assistant referee at that end of the pitch, the referee opted to wave play on and it gave Springfield the opportunity for a final attack. In the 7th minute of injury time, it was to be the last action of the game and the Rams were deserved winners against a team that has invested a lot of money in its playing squad this season.

The Rams are back on their travels for three weeks, taking on Old Chelmsfordians (at Springfield!) next week.

Up The Rams!