A MOMENT of defensive indecision cost Rossendale dear as the opening day hoodoo reared it ugly head once more.

Dale have won just six times on the opening day since 1960, so defeat came as no surprise to the travelling fans as the dismal sequence continued.

Things had started badly with striker Russ Brierley reporting for duty with a chest infection and was unfit to start the game.

But Rossendale had the better of the opening exchanges as Lee Buggie tested Farsley keeper Tom Morgan with an early effort, and a great move saw Doni Clarke's cross just miss the lively Buggie at the far post before the striker pulled an effort wide from 15 yards after being put clear.

The home side gradually came into the game and Andy Shields was left unmarked but headed wide before the home side took the lead on 38 minutes.

Rossendale's back four hesitated and let the ball bounce, and as they stood and watched, Ben Austin nipped in to score from close range.

Farsley almost doubled their lead from the restart as Danny Spence struck the post with a fierce shot, but from then on Dale pushed for an equaliser.

Dave Gamble had an shot from distance deflected narrowly wide, Morgan saved Lee Badrock's header and Lee Cooper went close with a back post volley that drifted wide of the mark.

Dale manager Jim McBride threw on Brierley for the last 10 minutes and the big striker caused problems but couldn't force an equaliser.