ROSSENDALE eased themselves into the second round of the Lancashire Marsden Trophy in a mismatch of a game that was virtually over after 10 minutes.

Steve Cunningham had two good chances in the first minute, the keeper saving the first, and the second was blazed over the bar.

On just three minutes, Craig Sargeson was sent tumbling into the box and he got up to stroke home the penalty. His second on 10 minutes saw him nip between the keeper and central defender, to toe poke the ball to Johnston.

Dale then sat back and cruised through the rest of the half, not wanting to risk any more injuries before the home game with Ossett Albion on Saturday.

A couple of second half substitutions shook the game up. Scott Weir came on for his debut and looked impressive before being struck with the Dark Lane injury curse, and Dave Gardiner got in on the act to score a brace himself in the last quarter of an hour.

His first and Dale's third was set up by Matt Houldsworth's cross and his second was set up delightfully by Ged Walsh with a super turn and through ball to complete the scoring.

RESULT: FLIXTON...0 ROSSENDALE UTD...4

ROSSENDALE face the UniBond First Division's bottom club Ossett Albion at Dark lane tomorrow, looking for a win to boost their play-off fortunes. Dale currently lie ninth in the league and could go seventh.