Saturday 4th February 2006
@ Seel Park, Mossley

Mossley
1. Lee Bracey (7)
2. Andy Thackeray (7)
3. Steve Sheil (6)
4. Paul Challinor (8)
5. Danny Meadowcroft (c) (8)
6. Melford Knight (8)
7. Joe Shaw (7)
8. Martin Allison (8) Y
9. Jordan Goodeve (6)
10. Chris Downey (7) Y
11. Adam Morning (8)
subs
12. Nicky Thompson
(for Goodeve 80 mins)
14. Joel Pilkington
(not used)
15. Callum Dempsey
(not used)

Scorer
Mossley
Adam Morning (26)
Bill Robertson (og 42)

Rossendale United
1. Andrews
2. Raywood
3. Ingham
4. Koslowski
5. Robertson (c)
6. Clarke
7. Edgington
8. Brooke
9. Eatock
10. Mackay Y
11. Mainwaring
12. Rispin
(for Mainwaring)
14. Barker
(for Koslowski)
15. Zarac
(for Edgington)

Scorer
Rossendale United
Neil Zarac (84 mins)

Mossley were again made to sweat after again conceding a late goal that put pressure on an overworked defence as Rossendale attempted to bomb the Lilywhites in search of a late equaliser.

The visitors, unbeaten in ten games since the arrival of new manager Derek Egan were quickest out of the blocks with some slick attacking moves. Dave Eatock missed a glorious opportunity as early as the second minute when he blasted over with the goal at his mercy.

Mossley finally got to grips with the occasion and threatened through Adam Morning who was leading his marker a merry dance. Jordan Goodeve had a great opportunity to put Mossley ahead but fired narrowly wide when well placed and Chris Downey's shot on the turn was somehow blocked.

By the time Mossley took a 26th minute lead they were pretty much in charge of the game. Adam Morning picked up a poor clearing header and blasted a 25 yard strike into the top corner giving Stags keeper Mark Andrews no chance.

Three minutes before the break Mossley looked to have sealed the points with a freak own goal. Morning's deep cross was fumbled by Andrews at the far post under pressure from Joe Shaw who had chased a lost cause. Shaw managed to force the ball back accross goal only for Rossendale captain Bill Robertson to unavoidably walk the ball into his own net from close range.

Rossendale came out fighting in the second half and were in no mood to let their unbeaten run go easily. The Lilywhites were forced to defend deeply as all three Rossendale substitutes were introduced including former Mossley front man Ian Barker, and the trio were a new threat to Mossley as all three were over 6' tall and the aeriel threat became quickly apparent as Lee Bracey was forecd into a couple of quality saves.

Mossley's cause was not helped by some finicky refereeing that gave the visitors a series of free kicks without any respite for the home side.

It was from such a free kick that Rossendale halved the arrears on 84 minutes. Danny Meadowcroft was harshly ajudged to have fouled Rispin and Eatock's free kick was looped home by Neil Zarac's header on 84 mnutes.

The bombardment became more intense as the game entered an unlikely six minute stoppage time and the Lilywhites had one final let off as Zarac again headed goalward only tro see his effort drift narrowly wide and Mossley held on to maximum points and endeed Egan's unbeaten run in charge of the UniBond League's form team!