BOTH teams went into this game undefeated, but it was Rossendale who came out on top of the league after this heated affair.

The game took a twist just after half time when Darwen were reduced to 10 men. With both sides tight at the back, chances were very few until Burke drove home after a mix-up in the Darwen defence.

Rossendale made it 2-0 with a 30-yard rocket into the top corner from Patterson who had been a thorn all afternoon. This brought the best out of Darwen who scored soon after and Atkinson could have scored his second when his header came off a post to stop dead on the goal-line. This just about summed up Darwen's day.

The next game is at home on Saturday against Cheadle Town (kick-off 3pm).

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