The Lilywhites, without a win in nine league matches, produced a much-improved display but were sunk by two goals in a four-minute spell midway through the first half.

Mossley had opened the game brightly and pressed Frickley back winning a sequence of corners and bringing several saves out of Frickley keeper Hood who was particularly lucky to turn away a curling drive by David Eyres.

Unfortunately for Mossley Frickley scored with their first meaningful attack. Newly-signed central defender Jonathan Smith conceded a penalty on his debut, which was converted by Paul Palmer.

Christian Cooke . . .went off injured

Five minutes later the Lilywhites were hit again when a poor clearance found Mark Ward who curled a superb shot into the far corner of the net from 25 yards on the right.

Mossley recovered their composure and took the game to Frickley in the second half despite losing the industrious Christian Cooke and were finally rewarded for their persistence when Peter Wright pulled a goal back after 75 minutes as he latched on to a long through ball from Chris Ward to fire under Hood’s body from 10 yards.

Mossley then had central defender Gary Furnival sent off for a second bookable offence in the 80th minute but ten man Mossley made a fist of it and with five minutes remaining Wright was brought down for a blatant spot kick.

Mossley would surely have earned a point had Chris Ward not had his penalty saved by Hood with just five minutes remaining.

James Turley managed one last effort for Mossley but, having hit the bar earlier from a free kick, his late effort was comfortably saved by Hood and Frickley hung for the points as Mossley were again left scratching their heads as to how they didn’t take something from the game.