FLYING IN: Rossendale's Mark Ross skips over a tackle from Chorley's Jordan Goodeve
A dramatic finale to this local 'derby' saw Rossendale unexpectedly pull the game out of the fire with two opportunist strikes in the last two minutes to deny Chorley a comfortable victory.
Both teams struggled to master the elements in a largely featureless first-half.
However, United were closest to a goal on two occasions, Phil Eastwood heading high over from Matt Edgington's pinpoint cross, and later a tricky swirling centre from Mark Ross having to be tipped past the post by Magpies' keeper Peter Collinge.
For the visitors, shortly before the break, Stephen Burke was finally hustled into shooting just wide after breaking clear.
The second-half was dominated by Chorley, with the wind and slope in their favour, and they deservedly went ahead after 62 minutes when Dave German, from outside the box, curled a clever shot beyond keeper Lee Bracey and into the far corner of the net.
With Rossendale offering little threat, substitute Kenny Mayers missed a great chance to double the Chorley's lead from close range.
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But Chorley appeared to have settled the issue seven minutes from time with a superb goal from the speedy Burke.
Sent clear, Burke rounded the advancing Bracey before walking the ball into an empty net.
Dale had a decent penalty claim for handball turned down before Jordan Goodeve looked set to add the Magpies' third until his powerful goal-bound shot flattened colleague Liam Coyne who was right in the line of fire.
Almost at once, United were back in the game, sub Joe Booth firing a speculative but unstoppable shot from some 40 yards into the top corner of the net on 88 minutes.
Boosted by this spectacular goal, Dale attacked again immediately and Eastwood hit a cracking low drive which Collinge got a hand to but could not keep it out.
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