IAN Blackstone came off the bench to inflict the first defeat of the season on Rossendale with a last gasp goal.

The Harrogate substitute scored twice in the last quarter of an hour but failed to knock Dale off the top of the UniBond First Division table.

But Jim McCluskie's men will be disappointed they lost despite Harrogate being tipped for promotion by many.

Dale started off well and dominated the first 20 minutes creating several chances.

Gary Rishton had the first, heading wide when left unmarked from a corner.

Steve Cunningham was a constant threat and had a header well saved and it was his forced substitution through injury which left Rossendale short up front.

The visitors started to have a bigger say in the game, Michael Ord provided a constant threat down the right with his surging runs forward.

It was from Ord that Harrogate's only first half chance came, Wright feeding Robbie Whellans who saw his effort well saved by Dale keeper Mark Andrews.

Harrogate set off the brighter after the break, Wright hitting the outside of the post with an angled drive, but it was the home side that took the lead.

Pat Lauber found Mark Patterson who smashed the ball home from the edge of the box.

The introduction of Blackstone gave the visitors a lift and he equalised on 73 minutes tukcing the ball home, Ian Dunn laying the ball into his path from Merris' cross.

With two minutes to go Rossendale Craig Sargeson was brought down in the area, the official waving away appeals for a penalty.

And, just a minute later, Blackstone hammered home the winner from 18 yards.

RESULT: ROSSENDALE UNITED...1 HARROGATE TOWN...2