After a goalless first half which saw Mossley Academy waste several good chances, the Lilywhites youngsters faded after the break to go down 3-0 to a useful Skelmersdale United side at Seel Park on Thursday afternoon.

With both sides looking to play open attacking football it was Mossley who created the best chances in an entertaining first half. Djalo, Bass and Baidoo-Asare all coming close while at the other end the lively Morris was asking the Mossley defence plenty of questions.

The best chance of the half fell to Marco Nwawa with the last kick of the half but he wasn't able to get a clean strike on Bowers-Duxbury's excellent left wing cross and the ball flew wide.

After an early flurry that saw Mossley again threaten it was the visitors who took control. A Mossley attack broke down on 55 minutes and a long bouncing ball out of defence saw Cook and keeper Bardsley miscommunicate and Carnell nipped in to nick the ball home.

The game moved from end to end but as another Mossley attack broke down on 55 minutes another quick breakaway saw Carnell score his second with a first time shot from the edge of the box.

Despite skipper Lopez constantly trying to drive his team-mates forward the Lilywhites play became ragged and it was no real surprise when Niblock struck in the last minute to give Skelmersdale an emphatic 3-0 win, though the story could have been much different had Mossley took their first half chances.