Dale will meet a new referee on Tuesday when Darren Handley takes charge of the home game against Fleetwood.

The Bolton official is in his second season on the referees’ list and this is his first match at Spotland as the man in the middle.

However, Darren did appear at Spotland in his days as a linesman, most notably in August 2007 for the Carling Cup tie against Stoke.

The game ended 2-2 after 120 minutes, before Dale won on penalties against a Stoke side destined to reach the Premier League nine months later.

Mr Handley, a PE teacher, was promoted from the Conference list at the end of the 2013/14 season and refereed Oxford v Burton as his first league appointment.

He has officiated mainly in the bottom two divisions since then, although he has been in charge of two Championship fixtures this season.

Earlier this term, Darren refereed another Lancashire derby between Oldham and Wigan, as well as Coventry v Northampton in the FA Cup.

Altogether, Mr Handley has taken charge of 22 games this season, showing 74 yellow cards and four red.

Photo: Action Images

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