For the second Saturday in succession Seel Park played host to a game that won't live long in the memory of those who'd paid to watch it.

Apart from one moment when Michael Fish shot directly at the keeper after racing clear of Harrogate's back line, the opening stage of this encounter was decidedly flat.  Just as Clitheroe had done in the game a week earlier, Railway were enjoying the lions share of possession but like the previous visitors, the lack of a cutting edge upfront meant that the Lilywhites were rarely, if ever, troubled.

The match belatedly sprung to life though just after the half hour mark when Mossley suddenly remembered the style of football that's won them more games than they've lost this year and its arrival had an immediate impact.

Despite looking favourite to reach Mattie Kay's intelligent through ball, a moment of hesitation from centre half Craig Laight gave Fish the opportunity to take possession and advance down the left wing.  Upon reaching the corner of the Harrogate box, he squared the ball to Lee Blackshaw who in turn stroked it effortlessly past Jordan Yorath for his seventh goal of the season.
 
The remainder of the half consisted of Mossley trying to increase their advantage but though going close on more than one occasion, they couldn't fashion another goal that would have put further daylight between themselves and Harrogate on the score sheet. 

There was an early scare for the Lilywhites within minutes of the restart when Railway captain Ben Jones spurned his sides first opportunity of the game, somehow steering the ball wide of the goal he was stood yards in front of unmarked.

It was a warning the home side failed to heed as a virtually identical move, twenty seven very uneventful minutes later, saw Jones rectify his previous mistake by tapping home full back Ryan Haigh's cross from close range while Mossley stood appealing for an offside decision that was never going to be given.

The goal finally reintroduced some urgency into Mossley's game and though they were able to work a series of good openings, more often than not a poor final ball brought those promising moves, and ultimately the match, to a disappointing conclusion.

Report by SJNR