Mossley management, players and supporters were left angry and frustrated today by referee Paul Brown of Westerhope who abandoned the game five minutes before half time with unbeaten home team Durham City trailing a rampant Mossley by an amazing four goals to nil.

Durham had made extraneous efforts to get their artificial Arnott Stadium pitch fit for play and after several inspections and pressure from Durham officials and management finally saw the game kick off around 15 minutes late.

Mossley's simple request to the referee was that if he decided to start the match (a questionable decision in many opinions) he should then make every effort to finish.

The game began with a confident Durham keeping possession and searching for an opening. Mossley defended solidly though and soon started to express themselves as an attacking force.

The opening goal came from the spot after Dixon had handled under pressure from Danny Self. Danny Egan stepped up to confidently tuck away the resultant penalty kick.

Four minutes later the tireless Danny Dignan won a corner on the left and Christian Hirst's pinpoint cross was headed home by a leaping Danny Self.

More Mossley pressure play followed and it was no surprise when Egan's flick found Danny Dignan bearing down on a goal and he finished superbly with a crisp angled shot from 15 yards.

By this time the Durham players had started to complain about the pitch conditions and this was compounded when an almighty punt up field by Andy Robertson cleared a flat Durham back four and Danny Egan ran on to lob the ball over a stranded home keeper.

The referee who strangely appeared to be on first name terms with the Durham team then abandoned the game leaving Mossley stunned and now facing a midweek trip back up to the north east later in the season.

pics by Smiffy