MARK PATTERSON returns to Rossendale United for the first time since leaving the club - for the second time - last month.

The former Blackburn Rovers, Bolton and Accrington Stanley midfielder took over as manager of Leigh RMI in January, just weeks after leaving Dale to join the club as assistant to Steve Waywell.

Patterson had just begun his second spell at Dale after spending a year as coach at Conference side Scarborough.

But within weeks Waywell has resigned to join UniBond Premier side Hyde and Patterson was appointed boss.

His Conference strugglers go to Dark Lane tonight in the re-arranged Lancashire FA Marsden Trophy quarter final tie, which was postponed a week ago.

A number of familiar faces may turn out for the visitors. Their squad includes former Burnley defender Gerry Harrison, Dino Maamria, the Clarets' ethnic minorities officer, former Darwen defender Neil Durkin and Burnley-born Ian Monk.

Rossendale are struggling for form in the UniBond first division but have beaten four UniBond Premier sides in cup competitions this season.

Leigh are the first Conference side Jim McBride's team have played, but they will be hoping to add them to a list of scalps which includes Droylsden, Lancaster, Vauxhall Motors and Marine.