IN A complete reversal of the previous week's meeting between the two sides, it was Rossendale who were glad to take a point after coming from behind to level through Danny Heys.

Looking a pale shadow of the side that had beaten Unibond League side Radcliffe Borough in mid-week, Rossendale were second best for long periods.

Missing injured playmaker John Borland in midfield, the home side fell behind when leading scorer Stuart Diggle was left unmarked to head Fleetwood in front.

Dale, who had surrendered a two-goal lead to the same side seven days earlier, improved after the break and created chances for Shaun Bursnell and Mat Knowles, who saw his shot tipped over the bar. And they equalised when Heys rounded off a neat move to drill home a shot from outside the penalty area.

Two minutes later, the home side were reduced to 10 men when Knowles received a second yellow card but it was Dale who went closest to a winner.

Craig Sargeson produced one of his typically mazy runs and evaded two defenders but found the keeper one obstacle too many as he saved well at the striker's feet to ensure the spoils were shared.

On Wednesday night, Rossendale's under-18s entertain an American touring team at Dark Lane (kick-off 7.30).

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.