ROSSENDALE'S poor UniBond League Division One form continued as they crashed to defeat against a strong, hard-working Witton Albion side.

Dale were always second best and appeared a yard slower than their opponents, as they produced their worst display since Jim McBride took over as manager at Dark Lane.

They fell behind after 12 minutes. The ball appeared to run out of play as Darryl Dicken beat Houldsworth down the left and his cross was only half clearerd before Mike Moseley headed home.

Dale defender Matt Woods was knocked unconscious in the build up and had to be stretchered off.

Moseley was causing all kinds of problems for the Dale defence. John Gillies blocked one effort, Chris Scott produced a superb last ditch tackle after he had beaten the keeper, and Gillies sent him crashing to the floor after another surging run which earned the Dale stopper a yellow card.

The home side doubled their lead on the stroke of half time. Gillies failed to hold Dicken's fierce drive and Carl Rendell forced the ball home.

Dale came more into the game after the break, but barely threatened a comeback. They had the majority of the possession but threatened little up front. The main threat came from substitute Gary Williams. He set up Brian Burns whose first-time shot flashed across the face of goal, and Williams himself had the best chance but fired straight at Paul Gibson after latching on to a poor defensive header.

Team: Gillies, Houldsworth, Fitzsimmons, Perkins, Woods, Scott, Smith, Burns. Stanford, Sargeson, Holiday. Subs: Williams (Sargeson), Heffernan (Woods), Croxton (Scott).

WITTON ALBION...2 ROSSENDALE UTD...0