GARY Williams is proving the star of the show at Rossendale - and boss Jim McCluskie is keen to extend his loan spell to help their push for a UniBond First Division play-off place.

The striker has joined on a month's loan from Accrington Stanley and has scored three goals in three games - helping them to their first win in ten games on Saturday with a 5-1 victory over Guiseley.

And they will be hoping he adds a couple more when they travel to managerless Trafford tomorrow before facing fellow promotion chasers Radcliffe Borough where a bumber crowd is expected at Dark Lane.

"Gary is a good player. He has certainly shown us what we have been missing and I think he is enjoying playing regularly up front as he has been playing at different positions at Accrington.

"His loan is up next week so we hope to try and get him for another month.

"I have spoke to John (Coleman) but they are in two cup finals so it is up in the air. It just depends on one or two things.

"It is obviously down to Gary but we would love him to stay."

It had been a frustating time for McCluskie and Dale as they struggled to keep in touch with the leading pack through their poor run.

"It has been hard but at the end of the day we bounced back especially following the 6-1 defeat at Harrogate.

"I looked at my players and 75 per cent of them had only played at North West Counties level and I looked at theirs and 75 per cent had played in the league.

"There are massive gulfs in this league and the next one and we have to remember we are new to it.

"We have got used to winning, after winning the league last year, but it is a bit step up to this level.

"It has been a learning curve for a lot of my players."

But one win could kickstart their season again especially if they do beat Radcliffe - who they have already defeated once this season.

And he will come up against the league's 25-goal top scorer Jody Banim who he released last season after helping Dale to the NWCL Division One title.

"It is easy to say, when you aren't doing so well, why did you let him go but people never asked that when we were top of the league at the start of the season.

"It was not just footballing reasons and at the end of the day there is no hard feelings.

"They will want revenge but I would like to see both us and Radcliffe in the Premier League next season.

"You could see the confidence flowing back in our side once we got the goals on saturday. There was a few home truths at half time but it seemed to work and hopefully we can carry this form on against Trafford and Radcliffe.

"And now I hope it will take us somewhere. We have still got everything to play for.

"We want to keep the momentum going in the 11 games that are left."

Chris Scott should be back in contention after hobbling off against Guiseley.