Curzon Ashton edged the result in the Easter Monday 'derby' at the Tameside Satdium but there were a number of positives to come out of the game from a Mossley perspective.

Another youngster from the youth team, Tom Clarke, stepped up to the Evo-stik League for his first team debut and gave an acomplished display at right wing back, while Kyle McGonigle, drafted into the centre of defence due to the enforced absence of Andy Watson also gave an excellent performance. In fact, Mossley's back four were outstanding as a unit, with skipper Graham Kay and 'man of the match' Cavell Coo both also in excellent form.

Mossley had chances to take something from the game. Kristian Dennis had Mossley's best opportunities of the first half, bringing a good save out of Curzon keeper Carnell and then firing wide, right footed, with the goal at his mercy.

The only goal of the game came in the 35th minute. The tricky Luke Mack slotted the ball past Peter Collinge after cutting into the box from the left. It was rough justice on Mossley who had dominated possession up to that point.

Lee Constantine replaced Mike Fish at half time but Curzon had a spell of domination early in the second half. Sam Hare was replaced by youth team top scorer Joe Heap on 57 minutes but Mossley were then hampered when Matty Kay left the field with a neck injury in the 68th minute with Danny Egan his replacement meaning a formation reshuffle.

Mossley old boys Chris McDonagh and substitute Steve Moore had Curzon's best chances of the second period. McDonagh's overhead scissor kick was well saved by Collinge who also did well to block Moore's close range effort as he sneaked in at the back post to meet a curling cross from deep on the left.

Joe Heap got into his stride and was unlucky not to score when a typically jinking run saw him lose his marker and fire in a powerful shot that Carnell took two attempts to gather and the final minutes of the game saw Mossley camped around the Curzon box with the home side's massed defence just about holding out for the play off bound Curzon to take the points.

Report by Wizard