Mossley doubled the lead six minutes before the break when Chris Ward brilliantly brought down Nicky Thompson's long ball and finished in fine style for his first Mossley goal.

Mossley continued where they had left off in the second half and played some superb one and two touch football with Eyres, Ward and Lee Shillito highly prominent. The third goal came in the 56th minute. Shillito, not for the first time got around his marker and his low cross was finished off from close range by Chris Ward.

Adie Orr, making his first appearance as a substitute, created a peculiar fourth goal in the 74th minute. A through ball from Joe Shaw saw the speedy striker race clear to slot the ball past the advancing keeper with his first touch for the club. The ball however came back off the upright and hit defender Jonty Hawley who returned the ball into the net.

David Eyres . . . scored two superb goals

The fifth goal arrived with five minutes remaining. Substitute James Turley was fouled outside the box and David Eyres stepped up to curl a superb left footed free kick around the wall and into the net with keeper Ziccardi rooted to his line.

The ironic thing about Lincoln's late consolation is that it followed Mossley best move of the game. A free flowing pass and move play that had involved practically the entire team cut Lincoln's defence to shreds but unfortunately it ended with Ward missing the chance of a hat-trick as he fired wide of the target. Lincoln went straight down the other end from the ensuing goal-kick and substitute Sean Cann scored from 15 yards.

The Mossley team received a standing ovation from the fans as they left the field for an exhilarating performance that promises much for the games to come.