Rossendale caretaker boss Phil Eastwood can feel suitably aggrieved that his side did not leave Wales with a least a point.

The Dale produced one of their best performances for some time, in Eastwood’s first match as player-manager, and only disputed decisions for an offside, a penalty and some desperate defending from Colwyn Bay kept Rossendale scoreless.

It did take United a little time to settle and Lee Bracey in goal, returning after injury, made his presence felt with two smart saves to keep Colwyn Bay out.

The Stags then felt that they had taken the lead when John Turner’s shot from the edge of the box found the corner of the net but the assistant referee ruled the effort offside, even though the ball had been played back to him, not forwards.

Eastwood’s men continued to play some good football but could not turn their efforts into goals.

In the third minute of the second-half, Colwyn were awarded a free-kick and Mike McGraa’s cross appeared to hit Challinor and was deflected into the net to give Colwyn Bay the lead.

Rossendale then threw everything into attack and with the Colwyn Bay defence getting bodies in the way and keeping the ball boys busy with hacked clearances it seemed only a matter of time before the equaliser came.

It looked like a golden opportunity had arisen when a blatant hand ball in the penalty box occurred but as the defender had his back to the referee his view of the incident was blocked and the incident passed.

The Stags continued to pour forward in attack and goal bound efforts by Eastwood and Heywood were again blocked by a host of defenders in the box.