HAVING revelled on the wonderful Whaddon Road surface on Saturday, it was back down to earth with a bump or two at Spotland last night (Tues) for Dale in the rescheduled derby against Bury.

In fact, Steve Parkin's men will have to get used to less-than-perfect pitches over the next month ' they have three home matches and away games at Macclesfield and Bury between now and 8 April when they travel to Northampton.

The pitch covers did their job overnight on Monday and, with the sun shining down on the Spotland surface, the pitch was looking as ready as it will ever be early on yesterday (Tues).

Gareth Griffiths' back strain ' and Rory McArdle's international commitments ' prompted Parkin's move for David Bayliss, who came in on a month's loan and began his second spell at Dale with an impressive display in the 1-1 draw at Cheltenham on Saturday. He was due to make his second Spotland bow last night.

Winner of our competition for a family meal (two adults, two children), tickets to the game and access to the players lounge for the match against Darlington was Aaron Brown of Darlington Road, Rochdale.

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