BELPER TOWN...2
ROSSENDALE UTD...3
ROSSENDALE made it six points from two UniBond First Division away games in less than a week after producing an impressive performance at struggling Belper Town.
Dale took the lead in the fifth minute when Carl Howarth caused mayhem in the box and new boy Troy Hayder, signed from Droylsden, marked his debut by volleying the loose ball home from eight yards.
Richard Harris had a good chance to double the lead just two minutes later, but he headed Hayder's cross wide of the post.
Both sides then became guilty of some sloppy passing and it was a surprise when Steve Kennedy equalised for the home side when he was left free at the back post to head home Smithurst's cross.
Mark Andrews then denied Sean Gummer with a good save to keep the scores level at the interval.
Dale started the second half brightly and Matt Houldsworth should have done better when he headed over Steve Cunningham's cross.
Belper's Richard Tanner then missed a sitter when he side footed wide on 67 minutes when free at the back post.
Dale edged back in front, former Burnley defender Chris Scott flicking on a corner for Craig Sargeson to smash home a volley at the back post for goal number 12 of the campaign.
With five minutes remaining Belper's Carl Cunningham fired over the bar when well placed.
And just two minutes later Ged Walsh rose to head home a Steve Cunningham cross to make it 3-1.
The last word was left to Carl Cunningham who pulled a goal back deep into injury time with a simple finish, but it wasn't enough to deny Dale a well deserved three points.
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