THIS was a game in which the old saying "it's goals that win matches" was never truer.

Despite having the majority of the game and creating numerous chances the only goal UniBond First Division side Rossendale had to show for their efforts was a stunning 30-yard strike from captain Paul Lynch.

Leek on the other hand had only five or six real chances but to their credit converted four to give the scoreline a distorted look.

The opening exchanges were fairly even and it took 14 minutes for the first chance to fall to Rossendale's Craig Sargeson after a neat interchange of passing with Steve Cunningham, but his shot was well held by the keeper.

Two more good chances went begging before Leek responded and Hobby beat Mike Allison in the Rossendale goal with a curling shot from the edge of the box into the top corner of the net.

For the rest of the first half Rossendale took the game to Leek but at half time all the pressure had led to nothing and they went in 1-0 down.

The second half started as the first had finished with Rossendale on the attack and in the 48th minute Lynch picked up a loose ball and from fully 30 yards smashed the ball into the top corner of the net with the keeper helpless. Lynch tried to repeat the act seven minutes later, but Welsby in the Leek goal saved the shot with his legs.

Against the run of play Leek went back into the lead after 65 minutes with Hobby scoring his second of the game.

Leek sealed the points with two goals in a minute with 10 minutes to go, the first being hotly disputed for offside.

There was just time for Lynch again to try another long-range effort but his shot whistled past the post with the keeper nowhere.

Following the game Rossendale's captain Paul Lynch was given the man of the match award for the visitors and no one could argue with that.

RESULT: LEEK TOWN...4 ROSSENDALE UTD...1