ROSSENDALE UTD...1 EASTWOOD TOWN...1

BOTH sides produced a highly entertaining UniBond First Division game at a windswept Dark Lane, and a draw was just about the right result.

It was the visitors who started brightly and Mark Smith was denied twice by super saves from Mark Andrews in the Dale goal.

Rossendale slowly came into the game with former Ramsbottom man Darren Bowman threatening down the right, and he whipped in several good crosses that were scrambled clear.

The opening goal came on 34 minutes. Troy Hayder fed Jerome Fitzgerald and his shot was headed past his own keeper by David Davies to give Dale the lead.

Danny Bryant then produced an excellent save to prevent Craig Sargeson from doubling the lead shortly before half time.

Eastwood again started the better in the second half and 10 minutes in Smith equalised with a free header from a left wing corner.

The visitors continued to play the better football, but it was Dale who created the better chances in the latter stages of the game.

Bonser did well to prevent Hayder scoring from another Bowman cross, and Sargeson should have done better when put through but he finished weakly.

The best chance of all fell to former Leigh central defender Richard Harris, but he headed wide from eight yards when left to run free at a corner.