SOCCER: A bumper crowd turned up at Dark Lane to see Rossendale United narrowly lose 3-2 to Rochdale on Saturday.

Gareth Griffiths opened the scoring with a free header from a corner and then Kevin Townson made it 2-0 after missing a couple of clear-cut opportunities.

Chris Willcocks pulled a goal back for Rossendale but Rochdale's record signing Paul Conner came on in the second half and immediately found the net.

But Jerome Fitzgerald thumped home a free kick to set up a grandstand finish.