TWO early goals sent Rossendale tumbling to defeat, and their poor run of form continued at North Ferriby last night in the UniBond First Division.

It's six games without a win for the Dark Lane men, who are in danger of falling away from the promotion race.

Their cause wasn't helped by the dismissal of Paul Lynch midway through the second half for a second bookable offence.

Palmer's glancing header on five minutes, followed two minutes later by a low drive from Knight, gave a depleted North Ferriby side a lead they never looked like surrendering.

Dale once again relied on keeper Mark Andrews, who produced another fine display of shot stopping, to keep the score down before the break as the home side, shorn of six first team players, threatened to run riot.

Dale had the chance to reduce the arrears midway through the first half, but Darren Bowman's tame penalty was easily saved by Sharp in the North Ferriby goal.

The second half was more even, and after Palmer hit the Dale post just after the break, Rossendale enjoyed large periods of possession without threatening to score.

Substitute Chris Clarke had the best effort but Sharp was equal to his powerful drive from just outside the area.

And Gary Rishton should have scored in injury time but he headed over with the goal at his mercy after Sharp had missed the ball from a cornerl.

NORTH FERRIBY UTD...2 ROSSENDALE UTD...0