Declan Bourne will referee Dale for the second time in two months when we travel to Bristol Rovers on Saturday.

The Nottinghamshire official was the man in the middle versus AFC Wimbledon at Spotland in November, where an injury-time goal gave The Dons a 1-0 victory.

That was only the second League One fixture for Mr Bourne, who is in his debut season on the National List.

Declan’s first match at EFL level was Port Vale v Tranmere in the PJT in September, before he refereed Oldham v Leyton Orient on the opening day of the league season.

He has overseen 17 games in total this term, showing 49 yellow cards, but as yet, no reds.

Declan’s most recent appointment was Wigan v Fleetwood last Saturday and his Nottinghamshire base has seen him travel to all points of the compass, taking in games at Barrow, Sunderland, Cambridge and Stevenage among several others.

Photo: Action Images

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