ROSSENDALE United agonisingly lost to FC United yesterday - but can bank on a big pay day.

Dale were beaten 2-1, with United grabbing the winner with 10 minutes to go.

But just over 2,000 fans packed into Dark Lane to fill the coffers for the Unibond League side.

Rossendale keeper Lee Bracey made excellent first-half saves from Stuart Rudd and Steve Spencer.

The first goal came when United were awarded a free kick on the edge of the Rossendale area. Rudd fired a low hard shot that flew past the wall.

Rossendale got back on level terms when David Chadwick squared the ball to Mark Drew, and he finished well.

But United had the last laugh when Rudd was brought down in the box, and Nicky Platt converted the spot-kick.