Title favourites Halifax were too strong for an under strength Mossley at the Shay and deservedly took all three points.

Mossley were without the unavailable Steve Settle, Lee Blackshaw, Steve Moore and Nathan Neequaye while manager John Flanagan was able to name only three substitutes, one of which was a goalkeeper whilst Dave Brooke appeared on the bench for the first time this season after a spell with Abbey Hey.

The home side were quick out of the blocks and had Mossley under pressure for much of the opening half. Peter Collinge being called upon more than once to make excellent saves to keep the Shaymen at bay.

The inevitable opening goal came in the 24th minute. The outstanding Scott Phelan set up Marshall, Collinge saved brilliantly but the ball broke to Ryan Crossley who bundled home from close range.

Mossley started to find a little fluency with Mike Fish unlucky as Crossley nicked the ball off his toes as he was about to shoot. It was still much against the run of play though when Mossley forged an equaliser on 40 minutes. Ben Richardson's long throw in from the right wing was fumbled by keeper Hedge and Chris McDonagh headed the ball home from close range.

Just as it looked like Mossley were going to go into the break on level terms Halifax edged in front, although the goal looked to be scored by an off-side player. Dean's angled through ball fell to Marshall who slotted past Collinge from ten yards.

Mossley looked livelier after the break but Halifax were always a threat with their powerful and direct approach. Ex Trafford midfielder Winter setting up Nick Gray to put Halifax 3-1 up in the 58th minute.

Mossley then lost Mike Fish with a hamstring injury with defender Nick Boothby a straight replacement. Mossley pressed looking to pull a goal back and Matty Kay saw his looping header force an uncomfortable save by Hedge. Then Hedge somehow blocked substitute Dave Brooke's close range effort as Mossley forced a series of corners.

Halifax then suckered Mossley with a fourth goal when Harry Winter curled a great 20 yard shot low to Collinge's left hand post after Mossley had oinly partially cleared a corner.

Mossley didn't give up and earned a deserved second goal late on when Ben Richardson fired in a fierce right wing cross and Andy Watson rose to power home a header from six yards to round off the scoring.

Halifax, having lost only one match all season and none at home saw Mossley become the first visiting team to score twice at the Shay this season. The Lilywhites are also the only side to score three in any League game against them as they did in the recent game at Hurst Cross.

report by John Cawthorne

pics by Smiffy