TOP-OF-THE-LEAGUE Rossendale United came crashing down to earth when they were beaten at Skelmersdale last weekend.

But manager Jim McCluskie said it was a valuable lesson for his NWCL Division One high-flyers to learn with just four weeks before the end of the season.

"I am glad it happened with 12 games to go," said the Rossendale-born 34-year-old, who is in his first season as a manager.

"Some of the players were getting a bit carried away because they have never been top of the league before so maybe it is a good thing.

"The run was going to end some time, but our record shows we bounce back from defeat and we have left ourselves plenty of time to do that."

And bounce back they did, beating Newcastle 2-1 at home on Tuesday night.

It has taken Dale a while to rise to the top, because of postponements early in the season which left them trailing in terms of games played and points won.

"I always thought we would get up there," said former BRGS pupil McCluskie, who takes his team to Fleetwood Freeport tomorrow.

"It has taken a little bit of time, but it is up to them now. How ambitious the club is or how much I want it is not significant now, it will come down to how much the players want it."

But Rossendale's potential is, in theory, unlimited.

"You see towns like Hayes and Northwich; these are not big places but they have Conference sides.

"The current chairman (Andrew Connolly) is very ambitious and has come in and blitzed the place. He has really raised the profile of the club off the field and now it is up to us to do it on the field."

McCluskie's side are the top scorers in Division One, led by 19-year-old hot shot Craig Sargeson, who has scored 29 goals this season, followed by David Gray, with 20.

One of Dale's crucial games in the run-in will be against the side with the best defensive record -- Ramsbottom.

"Ramsbottom have a great team spirit and they are very difficult to beat at home," said McCluskie.

"They beat us on Boxing Day so we are looking forward to playing them again, on Easter Monday."

The Rams are at home to Skelmersdale, who are fresh from their win over Dale, tomorrow hoping to gain more ground on their league-topping rivals.

Mike Kelly's side are going to be tough to hold off in the race for the title, reckons McCluskie.

"I think it will be tight. Clitheroe, Prescot and Ramsbottom are all in with a chance of winning it and we still have some tough games coming up.

"But it took us a long time to get to the top of the league and we are not going to give it up easily."