BIRKENHEAD stepped over Chester into fourth place in National Three North League with this hard fought victory.
The visitors hit back from a 5-23 deficit to get to within a converted try for victory until Dave Hall settled the Park nerves with a well struck penalty in added time.
There was certainly no end of season flavour. Freeman Payne waltzed through for a second minute try for the home side and Hall added a penalty on nine minutes.
Nick Fontaine got in at the corner for Rossendale but Park replied with a Greg Hughes touch down following forward pressure and Hughes then put Dan Palmer in for the third try.
It seemed all over as Chris Tyms was driven over from a line-out early in the third quarter but then Rossendale showed their forward power with touch downs via Paddy Pole and David Crisp plus a Chris Bramhall conversion.
But it all ended well for Birkenhead who had outstanding performers on the day in Hughes and Christian Jones in a big team effort.
Alezo Londero was given his debut as a replacement in the final quarter and immediately made his presence fealt with a blockbusting tackle to thwart Rossendale progress.
