Saturday 18th March 2006
@ Dark Lane, Rossendale

Mossley
1. Lee Bracey (7)
2. Andy Thackeray (8)
3. Steve Sheil (7)
4. Paul Challinor (8)
5. Danny Meadowcroft (c) (9)
6. Melford Knight (8)
7. Joe Shaw (7)
8. Joel Pilkington (8)
9. Paul Garvey (6)
10. Jordan Goodeve (7)
11. Adam Morning (7)
subs
12. Chris Downey (7)
(for Garvey 70 mins)
14. Martin Allison (7)
(for Sheil 45 mins)
15. Nicky Thompson (7)
(for Challinor 61 mins)

Rossendale United
1. Andrews
2. Rispin
3. Ingham
4. Koslowski
5. Robertson (c)
6. Clarke
7. Edgington
8. Booth
9. Zarac
10. Morley
11. McKay
subs
12. Eatock
(for McKay)
14. Brooks
(for Clarke)
15. Barker
(for Edgington)

Mossley were held to a goalless draw in a pulsating match at Dark Lane in what proved to be another frustrating afternoon as substitute Chris Downey missed his third successive spot kick eight minutes from the end.

Mossley opened extremely well and looked to put the disappointment of last week's defeat by Colwyn Bay behind them Rossendale, who had lost only once in 16 games, and that was against Mossley, proved again to be stubborn opposition and were a threat going forward particularly in the second half. Rossendale survived Mossley's early assault with some solid defending as Jordan Goodeve, Melford Knight and Joe Shaw all went close to opening the scoring.

Main talking point of the first half was a denied penalty appeal for the home side as Danny Meadowcroft clashed with Neil Zarac as the giant home number 9 bore own on goal only to collide in mid air with the in form Mossley skipper.

The second period saw Rossendale exert some pressure but apart from a couple of well struck free kicks that Lee Bracey saved well Mossley's defence was more than able to cope. This despite the loss of Steve Sheil at half time with a groin injury. Joel Pilkington filled in admirably at left back while Martin Allison stepped off the bench to take Pilkington's place in midfield.

Chris Downey replaced Paul Garvey on 70 minutes and moments later was very unlucky not to score as his acrobatic scissor kick missed the post by a whisker.

Eight minutes from time Mossley were awarded a penalty as Jordan Rispin blatantly handled Adam Morning's cross. Chris Downey stepped up to take the spot kick only to be denied by home keeper Mark Andrews who dived to his left to turn away Downey's shot.

Moments later Andrews again excelled to turn away Downey's fierce angled volley that Knight just failed to get a clean connection from the rebound.

Deep into stoppage time Downey teed up Joe Shaw on the right but his effort was blocked again by Andrews and Mossley were forced to settle for a point.