Rossendale 2 Fleetwood Freeport 1

ROSSENDALE'S long running unbeaten stretch continued with a superb win against high-flying Fleetwood Freeport.

Played at a blustery Dark Lane, Jim McCluskie's men took the lead after 25 minutes thanks to a wonderful solo goal from winger Gareth Gardner.

The wide man picked the ball up on the right hand side and beat three players before drilling the ball home.

It was a lead Dale thoroughly deserved against a team in second place in NWCL Division One.

Dale took the lead into the break but Fleetwood were on level terms after 50 minutes when Gardner deflected a free kick into his own net.

It turned out to be an incident packed game for Gardner and it was from his free kick that Dale regained the lead when Steve Bird rose to thunder home a free kick.

McCluskie said: "It was a good performance and a good win. We're still playing catch-up but confidence is sky high at the moment."