WITTON snatched an unlikely draw with two late goals to earn an FA Trophy replay next Tuesday.
Rossendale had looked well in control thanks to two goals from Chris Brooks, but they were punished for sitting back trying to defend their lead.
It took half an hour for the game to spring to life. Adam Foy had a shot scrambled clear and Simon Burton was denied by a super save from Mark Andrews in the Rossendale goal.
The breakthrough arrived just four minutes before half time, Brooks turning home Matt Houldsworth's cross from close range. Two minutes later Brooks doubled the lead pouncing on the loose ball after Kevin Fish had parried Craig Sargeson's shot.
Witton started the second half with more purpose and Burton should have done better with a couple of headers instead of missing the target
Witton pressed the Dale defence further and further back as Rossendale started to rely heavily on the break.
Dale could have wrapped the game up with Brooks being denied by substitute keeper Kevin Whitehead, and Sargeson wasted a golden chance blazing over the bar from Jason Heffernan's cross.
Just seven minutes remained when Gary Furnival pulled a goal back with a low free kick and just 60 seconds later Brian Prichard smashed the ball home after Dale failed to clear a free kick to level the scores.
ROSSENDALE UTD...2 WITTON ALBION...2
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