ROSSENDALE returned to winning ways with a hard working battling performance at relegation threatened Kendal Town.

On a bone-hard, rutted playing surface, and in the gloom of the Parkside Road floodlights, Dale produced the better football throughout, but at times their goal led a charmed life.

Dale took the lead in the sixth minute. Gary Williams was put in down the right and he cut the ball back for Jerome Fitzgerald to fire home at the near post.

Kendal then laid siege to the Dale goal with Dave Foster twice hitting the post and Billy Carrington, deputising for Mark Andrews in goal, saving a long range effort from Ian Lunt.

Despite all the pressure, Dale looked threatening on the break with both Williams and Craig Sargeson causing problems on the counter attack. Williams had a shot blocked from a narrow angle, then pulled another shot wide after Sargeson had laid him in.

Dale were much the better side in the second half with Paul Lynch and Paul Howarth getting to grips with the midfield.

Sargeson had an effort tipped round the post by Lee Ward and Williams was victim of a bad bobble when played in just 12 yards from goal.

With 15 minutes remaining Carrington produced the save of the game, tipping Stuart Cliff's drive over the bar, and he denied Foster with another good save shortly after. The game was wrapped up in the final five minutes. Sargeson smashed home a super volley from an acute angle on 85 minutes, and substitute Chris Brooks matched his effort with a delightful chip from the edge of the box, which went in off the underside of the crossbar.

KENDAL TOWN...0 ROSSENDALE UTD...3