JIM McCluskie is learning that life as a manager is not always smooth-running.

The Rossendale chief has enjoyed success - helping Dale to promotion to the UniBond First Division last season - but now he is experiencing the downside of life in the hot seat.

Injuries, contracts, missing out on players and a run of three successive league losses - it's all come at once for McCluskie.

Dale take on Dr Martens side Bedworth United tomorrow at Dark Lane in the first round of the FA Trophy but their treatment room is full to brimming.

Out is goalkeeper Mark Andrews - his leg wound hasn't healed properly and he will be out for at least two months - Steve Bird has a broken leg, Paul Lynch has knee ligament problems, Gary Rishton is out with calf injury, Mark Smith has flu, striker Dave Gray suffered a recurrence of an ankle injury, while recent signing Ricky Harris is 50/50 with an ankle strain.

"We have a squad of 16 players and eight are out so it could be a case of me putting my boots on and dragging people off the streets!" laughed the manager. "No, we will have to call on a few reserves but it means they get their chance."

The Dale boss had thought he had cleared one problem after agreeing a deal with Clitheroe defender Barrie Hart.

But Premier Division Accrington Stanley came in at the 11th hour to sign him. "It is a blow. He was meant to start training with us last night but then Accrington expressed an interest. We wanted him here but we understand that Accrington can offer more money and they play at a higher standard."

McCluskie was also prepared to offer a fee for the first time as the gaffer to buy Ramsbottom hot shot Russell Brierley.

"We made £20,000 from the FA Cup and because of this we sat down and decided we could pay a fee. But Ramsbottom said he was not for sale and that is that."

McCluskie, though, is not regretting letting Jody Banim go in the summer even though the striker, who scored eight goals for Dale at the end of last season to help them get promoted, has banged in 18 goals for his new club Radcliffe Borough this season.

"I still believe that Jody would not have fit into the system I want to play," said the boss. "He came in at the right time for us last season and did us a favour. I wish him the best, good luck to him."

But they have made one player secure - 17-year-old keeper Billy Carrington has done enough to earn himself a contract at Dark Lane.

Meanwhile, Rossendale are hoping to take their mind off their league form and have a crack at a run in the Trophy. "I've been to the final with Witton as a player so I know what a fantastic competition it is," said the boss.

He knows his side are still suffering a Barrow hangover - since their FA Cup third qualifying round penalty shoot-out exit a couple of weeks ago - and he needs them to get it our of their system now.

"I spoke to the Barrow boss and he said his side haven't won a league game since they played us. It has affected us pyschologically and injury-wise. But it is part of football and we have got to learn to get on with it."