GATESHEAD maintained their 100 per cent record against Rossendale with a clinical performance at Dark Lane.

In a game of few chances and little entertainment, the Tynesiders took full advantage of what little they created, while Dale were guilty of wasting their opportunities.

The first chance of the game fell to Scott Blanford and he turned and shot into the bottom corner to give the visitors the lead on 15 minutes.

Dale fought back and Blake Norton saw a shot blocked at the far post. From the resulting corner, Ian Barker's effort was cleared off the line.

But Gateshead doubled their lead on 26 minutes. Anthony Shandran latched on to a bouncing ball and hammered a shot past goalkeeper Mark Andrews.

Dave Gamble then tested Liam Connell with a shot from distance, but it was soon 3-0 as Stephen Harrison's free kick curled in at the near post with Andrews looking flat footed.

Barker headed wide at the back post from Norton's cross before Dale were handed a lifeline. Barker looked to handle in the area only for the man in black to award a penalty for handball by Coulson and Gamble scored from the spot five minutes before the break.

ROSSENDALE UNITED ...1

GATESHEAD ...3