A LACK of discipline and poor defending cost Dale dear as they lost at league leaders Stockport.

Dale held a 25-15 lead at the break but lacked the composure to see it through - much to the annoyance of the coach-ing staff.

“It is the same areas we we are letting ourselves down,” said player/coach James Bramhall. “We’ve conceded 34 points this week after conceding 20 to a Waterloo side last week that will probably finish bottom of the table.

“Our defence has been non-existent and that is something we will be working on this week.

“We are not as fit as we should be as we lacked composure when it matt-ered most.”

He added: “It is very disappointing because we are playing very at times and in certain areas but we are letting ourselves down.

“Our pack has been superb but we are just not building on that.”

After trailing 10-3 and 15-12, Rossendale had Stockport worried at the break as tries from Danny Collins, Roger Dennison and Paddy Pole - plus two penalties and two conversion from Bramhall - gave the visit-ors a 25-15 lead to put them firmly in the driving seat.

But sloppy play and ill-discipline - Matt McKen-zie was sin-binned again - proved to be costly as Stockport mounted a second half fightback that ultimately led to victory.

“While we let ourselves down it wasn’t all bad,” said Bramhall. “Roger’s try was a fine team move and Danny was on top of his game again after returning to the side.”

Now Bramhall and his fellow player/coach Tim Fourie will be looking to get things right ahead of Saturday’s home game against in-form Sandal.

Dale are currently eighth in National Leag-ue Three North but victory would see them leap-frog Sandal in to sixth.

“They are a young, quick side who like to throw the ball about so we need to make sure we get our game right.

“So we will be working hard on those areas where we have failed in recent weeks.”