ROSSENDALE United are still searching for their first league points of 2003 after they crashed to their sixth league defeat in seven outings following a heavy home defeat to fellow strugglers Guiseley.

Dale weren't entirely to blame, as a combination of a partly frozen playing surface and the controversial dismissal of keeper John Gillies contributed to their downfall.

Guiseley took the lead inside 10 seconds, Davie Henry was allowed to run from the halfway line direct from the kick off and his scuffed shot hit Dale defender Chris Fitzsimmons, who couldn't check his run due to the frozen pitch, and rolled past John Gillies into the net.

This was the kick in the teeth that Dale didn't need, and the visitors, spurred on by the early goal, threatened to take them apart in the early stages.

Alex Nesovic and Nathan Hay both missed the target with headers from left wing crosses as the home defence struggled with the tricky conditions.

The talking point of the afternoon came after half an hour. Nesovic looked to have lost possession in the area, but was tripped by the advancing Gillies.

The official had no hesitation in pointing to the spot, and also harshly sent the Dale keeper off despite the presence of several defenders. Mark Stuart despatched the spot kick past substitute keeper Kevin Holliday to double the lead.

Dale were staring down the barrel on 36 minutes when Alan Bailey hooked home the third from a corner, but to their credit they battled back to control the rest of the game. Craig Sargeson pulled a goal back just before the break, and Dale went on to dominate long periods of the second half.

Ged Smith fired a shot just over the bar, Sargeson had a back post header well saved by John Lamb after good work from Chris Brooks, and Fitzsimmons hit the post after another low cross caused chaos in the visitors' defence.

Substitute Brian Burns was a constant threat to the visitors' defence, but it was Alan Bailey who completed the scoring with a shot from the edge of the box to give the final score a harsh look on the balance of play.

If the game had been 11 against 11 for 90 minutes it would have been very close, but once again a lack of common sense from officials spoilt a very good match.

ROSSENDALE UTD...1

GUISELEY ...4