Just as it's always easy to define how good a game has been by reeling off a long list of exciting, action filled incidents, it's equally as simple to tell how bad a game was if the final whistle can be classed as a highlight.  And sadly the latter is true in respect to this match.

In fact, such was the spectators desire to hear it, there was almost an audible groan from the terraces when it was announced that there'd be a further three minutes added onto the ninety at the end of the game.

As you can probably gather from the opening two paragraphs this isn't a match that will live long in the memory of anyone who saw it.  That said, while it ultimately turned out to be a game that many were willing to quickly end, it did get off to a promising start

Obviously eager to try and put a poor run of form behind them, Chorley began the game like the proverbial house on fire and it's hard to argue that the lead they took after only five minutes wasn't a deserved one; Jordan Connerton forcing ex-Lilywhite Steve Burke's cross/shot over the line under pressure from full-back Daryl Weston.

It took some time for Mossley to emerge from their shells but when they did they were soon back on level terms. A move started by Danny Egan on the right wing ended with the same player firing a loose ball into the net after Lee Blackshaw's overhead kick had been blocked on the line.

Mossley controlled what remained of the half but apart from a shot by Danny Self that flashed across the face of the goal just before the break, they rarely looked like edging themselves in front.

Despite being somewhat short on noteworthy moments, the opening period was a real rip-roaring, barnstormer of a half in comparison to what followed after the interval.

Over the course of the remaining forty five minutes neither goalkeeper was required to do anything more than pluck the occasional cross out of the air as the game became a dour midfield battle, punctuated all to often, and for the most part unnecessarily, by the shrill of the referee's whistle.

If anything summed up how poor things were, it was the one genuine goalscoring opportunity that arrived in its closing stages.  On the edge of the six yard box and with goal at his mercy, Chorley's Josh Kenworthy sliced a shot so far wide that it took a moment for the assistant referee to work out whether it had gone off for a goal kick or a throw-in.

Given their lengthy injury list, one which had grown by two more names before the end of the match, Mossley will probably be the happier of the two teams with the result.  Not only does it maintain their unbeaten record away from home in the league but it's also a point at a ground where they haven't returned with many from in the past.

report by SJNR

pics by Aaron Flanagan