Rossendale 1 Mossley 1

ROSSENDALE UNITED just missed out on third spot in the First North Western Trains league First Division when they were held by Mossley in their final game.

However, Micky Graham's men can still reflect on a superb season which looked set to finish with a weekend win double when Shaun Bursnell fired them ahead.

Top-scorer Craig Sargeson sparked the move with a jinking run and when his shot rebounded to Jim McCluskie, he picked out Bursnell to fire home.

Dale had further chances but were also indebted to keeper Mark Andrews for a couple of point-blank saves before McCluskie saw his shot pushed onto the post five minutes before the break.

A win would have given Micky Graham's men third spot and Steve Cunningham also went close to a second when he flicked the ball just wide following Matt Knowles' fine pass.

But Dale's hopes were dashed 12 minutes from time when an unmarked Chris Wilcock headed home the equaliser.

McCluskie then missed a great chance to restore Dale's lead but with a minute to go Mossley were handed a golden opportunity to snatch third place themselves from the penalty spot.

However, Andrews underlined his emergence as a key player this season with an excellent save which instead guaranteed that Ramsbotton would finish third in the table.