ABBEY HEY 2 ROSSENDALE 1 FOR AN assault on the title you cannot win all games in style. All you can do is carry on winning.

In addition, that is just what Dale achieved at Abbey Hey. On a bitterly cold night the visitors didn't fire on all cylinders, but overcame a difficult playing surface. Heavy handed tactics in periods from Abbey. In particular on Paul Heavey and a questionable performance from the man in black.

Sargeson and Heavy started sharp and Sargeson it was who opened the scoring, giving indications that the hotshot could be about to hit top form at the right time.

Spinning his man and leaving two defenders sprawling before lashing home on 24 minutes.

Cunningham and Webster taking over the midfield berth were pushed all the way by a competitive opposition but coped well.

Garath Gardner picked up where he left off on Saturday and was unlucky to see a swerving drive go just over followed by a similar effort from Lauber. Abbey Hey clipped the post following a long throw, and Dale failed to increase the score before half time, despite four successive corners threatened the home goal.

In the second half the referee came into his own and following a sweeping move from Heffernan, Sargeson picked out Jamie Webster's run but as the midfielder was blatantly sent sprawling, play was waved on.

The home side drew level as Dale's defence momentarily failed to concentrate and number nine Pickering reacted first to a free kick on 61 minutes.

Heavey continued to receive some rough treatment and was forced to retire for treatment to be replaced by Matt Knowles for his first start after long-term injury.

Dale began to string together some of their trademark passes together and Sargeson's effort out to Gardner was a perfect example.

Garath took the ball on confidently and dummied the keeper to restore Dale's lead.

With their noses in front Dale resolved not to let slip and retained position to keep the momentum going.