BISHOP AUCKLAND manager Brian Honour blamed heavy traffic for his side's 3-1 defeat at Rossendale on Saturday, writes Ray Simpson.

Bishops were held up on the M6, and didn't reach their destination until fifteen minutes before the scheduled kick-off.

"We asked the referee for an extra fifteen minutes, but he turned us down," said Honour, who could make a new signing before Wednesday's League Cup tie at Blyth.

"We were a goal down straight away, but we had the chances to get at least a point.

"We showed enough promise and creation, but our finishing let us down."

Rossendale took the lead with a Chris Brooks header after 12 minutes. Matt Woods headed in a corner for the second, then Craig Sargeson got another from the spot.

Bishops improved in the second half, and Kevin Devine scored with a header, but they missed further chances through Wayne Edgcumbe and John Lydon.