DALE kept up their 100 per cent record with a well-earned win over their Scottish visitors.

The game set off with a bang as Gardiner almost opened the scoring in the first minute with a low drive.

Unfortunately, that was all the attacking that Dale did for the first 20 minutes as Gretna played some neat attractive football. Dobie had two good chances in the first five minutes as the Dale defence struggled to clear their lines.

The visitors still pressed and Andrews was forced to pull off a fingertip save to deny Pateson from long range.

It was 25 minutes before Dale threatened again, Gardiner ran on to a long ball from Bird and fired just wide from 15 yards. Rishton then had a great chance but directed a free header wide of the goal when he should have at least tested the keeper.

The second half, as was the case on Saturday, was much better viewing for the spectators. It took Dale just five minutes to get the winning goal. Sargeson supplied the cross after a mazy run and Jerome Fitzgerald swept the ball home.

RESULT: ROSSENDALE UTD...1 GRETNA... 0