ROSSENDALE Utd progressed through to the second qualifying round of the FA Cup, but they so nearly threw the game away at the death.

Northern League visitors Guisborough played a physical brand of football, and the referee struggled to control the game.

It was the visitors who took the lead, Jamie Clark pouncing to knock the ball home after Mark Andrews in the Rossendale goal spilled a free kick.

The visitors continued to have the upper hand, Mowbray going close as Dale struggled against the physical tactics.

It took 40 minutes for the equaliser to come, Steve Cunningham bringing Rossendale level with a super header which went in off the post.

Rossendale took control of the early part of the second half and Gareth West put them 2-1 ahead following up his own header to thump the ball home.

The home side appeared to have doubled their lead on 65 minutes when Jerome Fitzgerald headed home a Cunningham cross, only for the referee to disallow it for a push. Fitzgerald wasn't to be denied and just three minutes later he powered in another header to make it 3-1.

Rossendale appeared to relax and Guisborough came more into the game. They pulled one back deep into stoppage time through Clarke and Mowbray should really have equalised in the 95th minute but Andrews saved the day.

RESULT: ROSSENDALE UTD...3 GUISBOROUGH TOWN...2