ROSSENDALE'S inability to defend set pieces once again cost them dear as they went down to a last-gasp goal at Guiseley.

They looked set to gain a point despite not being at their best, but Jeremy Illingworth's close range finish meant they left Nethermoor empty handed.

Top of the Yorkshire side's Christmas wish list must surely be a new roller as the terrible playing surface dictated the game. Guiseley's more direct style of play was much more suited to the conditions as Dale struggled to find their form.

But for keeper Mark Andrews the home side would have been ahead after two minutes, but he tipped Stewart Aidrie's drive over the bar with a flying save.

Despite being on the back foot Dale took the lead on 12 minutes, Blake Norton thumping the ball past John Lamb from 20 yards.

That advantage lasted just two minutes, David Cooke taking advantage of some slack marking to head home and Guiseley should have been ahead by the break as Gary Birchall and Illingworth both missed good chances.

Dale got to grips with the poor pitch after half time and had much of the play and the better chances to score. Norton almost doubled his tally but Lamb recovered to save his shot after his poor clearance went straight to the Rossendale winger.

Doni Clarke and Dave Gamble both went close with snap shots from the edge of the box and new signing Simon Burton was denied by superb save from Lamb after a lovely piece of skill had sent him clear.

The game was won, and lost, in injury time. Chris Brooks burst through the Guiseley defence and as the ball fell to Burton he was denied by another Lamb save at full stretch.

Just 30 seconds later Dale fell asleep as a deep free kick was swung into the box and Nathan Hay was allowed to head across goal for Illingworth to bundle the ball home to give the Yorkshire side an unlikely victory.

GUISELEY...2

ROSSENDALE UNITED...1