AN injury to Rossendale goalkeeper John Gillies proved to be the deciding factor in this match.

However, despite having midfielder Dave Gamble between the sticks for the best part of 70 minutes, they were unlucky not to take something from the game.

It had been a low key start with both teams struggling with the dreadful playing surface. And it was in the 22nd minute that Gillies came to collect a high ball, collided with his own player and landed heavily in the goalmouth.

After receiving treatment for 10 minutes, he was stretchered off the field to be replaced by Gamble.

To add to Dale's loss, Gillies dropped the ball in the impact at the feet of Stephen Salvin, who rolled it into an empty net to put the home side a goal up.

The double blow galvanised Dale and within six minutes they were level.

Russell Brierley marked his debut with a goal, lobbing John Caffry from 15 yards.

Four minutes later, Lee Buggie gave Dale the lead firing the ball home after a neat turn in the box and six minutes before half-time Buggie made it 3-1, sliding the ball home from the tightest of angles.

A fourth should have followed five minutes after the break. Buggie was upended in the box only for penalty claims to be waved away and the home side never looked back from their lucky escape.

Neil Maddison pulled a goal back on 58 minutes, and two minutes later Brian Ross levelled the scores with a screamer from 25 yards.

Dale looked like holding out until the last 10 minutes, Chris Hughes pouncing twice to give the home side a victory they barely deserved.

BISHOP AUCKLAND ...5 ROSSENDALE UTD ...3