ROSSENDALE slumped to another defeat as any lingering UniBond First Division play-off hopes took a severe dent at the hands of promotion rivals Radcliffe Borough.
The game was a dull affair that never really sprang to life, but the visitors had the brighter ideas with former Dale favourite Jody Banim a constant threat up front.
Dale had the better of the first half chances, with Paul Lynch being at the centre of most things.
It was Lynch who had the first effort on goal, and he had another low drive blocked from a half cleared free kick.
Gary Williams, on loan from Accrington Stanley, had the best effort of the half a minute before the interval when he raced clear of the Radcliffe defence only for Boro keeper Danny Hurst to tip his shot wide.
After the break Radcliffe, managed by former Burnley player Kevin Glendon, stepped up a gear and began to threaten the Dale goal.
Mark Andrews made a scrambling save from Tony Whealing and then denied Lee Potter with an excellent save with his feet.
Banim showed the home fans what they had been missing all season with a rasping drive which thumped back off the post with Andrews grasping at thin air, and it was Banim who scored the only goal of the game with 10 minutes remaining.
He was left totally unmarked at the back post and volleyed a left wing cross past Andrews to give Radcliffe the points.
ROSSENDALE ...0
RADCLIFFE BORO...1
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