ROSSENDALE manager Jim McCluskie has been named NWCL First Division manager of the month for March.

The 35-year-old, in his first season as a boss, has turned Dale into hot favourites for the title during a sensational month in which the side won seven out of nine league games, scoring 28 goals.

With 10 games left -- starting tonight at home to Kidsgrove -- McCluskie wants the run to continue.

"I was pleased to win the award," said McCluskie. "But I would rather win it next month.

"Our record speaks for itself. We were only beaten once last month in nine games and that was a good achievement. But the main thing was that the games we played were all league games which allowed us to catch up -- at last."

Dale bounced back from a 2-1 defeat at Skelmersdale -- ironically their first game as league leaders -- with a 2-1 win over Newcastle and a 1-0 win over fellow promotion chasers Fleetwood Freeport.

"The lads responded brilliantly to the defeat and I was glad it happened because there were a few big heads around the place when we went top of the league," admitted the manager.

"The Fleetwood win was a good result for us because it put a bit of breathing space between us and them.

"And we can do that with another team tonight against Kidsgrove.

"They have had a good run and they probably fancy their chances as challengers but we fancy ourselves against anyone at home.

"This is our chance to put some more distance between them and us."

Also in action in the First Division tonight are Clitheroe, looking to boost their own title hopes, who are at home to St Helens.

Stugglers Great Harwood are at 'home' -- Accrington Stanley's Crown Ground -- against Mossley and Ramsbottom, also bidding for promotion, are at home to Skelmersdale.

In Division Two, Bacup are at home to Alsager, weather permitting.