ROSSENDALE’S slim hopes of reaching the play-offs are still alive but they may come to regret missing out on a bonus point win.

Dale needed to score four tries to secure the extra vital point and keep the pressure on second-placed Chester.

The Marl Pits side dominated the match from start to finish against a side they leap-frogged in to third place in National League Three North.

And it was the perfect revenge for Dale who lost 35-19 to Bradford and Bingley on the opening day of the season.

They showed how much they have progressed since that first meeting, producing some scintillating rugby along the way – and with one of the smallest squad of players in the division.

Anthony Bingham scored two tries with player/coach James Bramhall also crossing.

Bramhall also kicked a further 10 points but that fourth try proved to be elusive.

“Our defence was very strong but perhaps we missed a trick by not securing that bonus point,” said Bramhall.

“But with two games to go, we still have an outside chance of finishing second.”