ROSSENDALE'S midfielder-turned-striker Chris Brooks may have found himself a new position!

Brooks was thrown up front by Dale boss Jim McCluskie on Tuesday as a desperate measure for the side due to their lack of goals - and it paid off when he bagged a double.

The side lost 4-3 to league leaders Alfreton but McCluskie said they were the best side they'd played so far.

"Credit to them because they pay big money but they pay the players who can do it.

"They have got the best forward line I have seen, the strikers were fantastic and that was the difference.

"We had two or three chances before we scored and we needed that breathing space, but it could have been 5-5 at half-time.

"Credit to our side as well because they worked hard and we have been struggling to hit the back of the net.

"Chris brought us a presence up front, he is very willing, very fit, he upsets people so we put him up there and it paid off.

"It would be silly not to play him up there again for the next game."

Dale haven't won in five games and sit mid-table in Division One.

"We have to stop the rot," said McCluskie. "We have lost a few by the odd goal and only the Ossett game I thought we deserved to lose, the others have been tight.

"We just need a break, a bit of luck."

Matt Woods is 'getting stronger' and McCluskie hopes to have keeper Mark Andrews and Matt Knowles back for tomorrow's game.

"We need a settled side. We had three or four changes again for Tuesday's game and it's frustrating."