Match Report  |  Rossendale United vs Gresley Rovers

Gresley Rovers' dismal form continued at Dark Lane against a side who where one of the lowest scorers in the division. However, they did manage to put three past the lacklustre visitors as again Rovers handed their opposition two preventable goals.

Things were not helped for Rovers when Nicky Carter was needlessly dismissed after being booked for a foul and continuing to argue with the referee.

Rossendale opened brightly and should have taken an early lead when on 5 minutes a corner taken by Mark Drew found Neil Zarak but the striker put his header over the bar when well placed.

Rovers were under pressure and almost conceded on 12 minutes when former Burnley striker Phil Eastwood was put through by James Heywood but with only the visiting keeper David Clarke to beat he somehow managed to sent his shot wide.

Gresley midfielder Tom Groves conceded a foul for handball on 28 minutes just outside the area. Drew shaped to send over a cross but hit a shot that Clarke should have saved at his near post.

Carter's dismissal six minutes later meant that Rovers had a huge mountain to climb with almost an hour of the game remaining.

On 37 minutes Paul Edwards had a chance to get his side on terms. The striker managed to hold of the attention of two defenders before hitting a shot that went sadly wide.

Three minutes later The Stags increased their lead as a result of a mix-up. Adam Cook was racing after a through ball and it appeared that Clarke had the danger covered on the edge of his area so Rovers Dan Douglas left the ball only for the keeper to hesitate and Cook got his foot to the ball knocking it towards the goal where Neil Zarac was on hand to tap the ball home.

Clarke did make up for his mistake minutes later when he denied Eastwood by blocking his shot with the striker putting the rebound over.

It was all Rossendale at the end of the half with Eastwood going close on a couple of occasions.

The second half started just as the first had ended with Rossendale looking likely to increase their advantage.

Eastwood again was in the thick of things bringing a good save off Clarke with a deflected shot.

On the hour mark it was Cook's turn to threaten the Rovers goal when he sent a superb curling shot from the right which whistled just wide of the far post.

Gresley defender Barry Woolley almost got a goal back in a rare attack on the home goal. On 67 minutes he smashed a volley just wide after Tony Hemmings had flicked on Colin Hoyle's free kick.

Rossendale's substitute John Turner finished the game with almost his first touch of the game. A corner was only partially cleared as far as Turner who hit his volley past Clarke.

Rovers substitute Richard Lonsdale went close but put his shot across the face of goal, but the night deservedly belonged to Rossendale who could have added two more goals only to be denied by top drawer saves from Clarke one down to his left and then clawing away an effort that look bound for the top right corner.