ROSSENDALE United underlined their promotion credentials with a sensational victory at much-fancied Newcastle Town.

A brilliant rearguard action from a resolute Dale defence laid the foundations for this impressive win.

But once again it was leading scorer Craig Sargeson who bagged the all important strike with his 27th goal of the campaign.

In a keenly competitive contest, both sides refused to concede an inch in the opening half but the game threatened to boil over when Town player-boss Ray Walker was lucky to escape with just a yellow card for a savage tackle on Vinne Patterson.

Patterson eventually limped out of the action at half time but that failed to knock Dale out of their stride as the towering Ged Walsh kept a tight grip on the dangerous Darren Twigg.

The breakthrough eventually arrived shortly after the break when Saregson finished emphatically after a lightning raid down the right.

In a grandstand finish, Town piled on the pressure in search of an equaliser but Walsh and the rest of the Dale defence stood firm to seal three priceless points.

DARWEN play UniBond Premier Division outfit Marine tomorrow night in the quarter finals of the Marsden Lancashire Trophy at The Anchor (kick off 7.30pm).

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