Mossley went out of the Manchester Premier Cup at the first hurdle on Tuesday night, going down to a 3-2 home defeat to neighbours Curzon Ashton.

Manager Shaun Higgins shuffled his pack a little with Saturday’s more important FA Cup tie in mind Ryan Barrow, Matty Kay and Connor Hampson all returning to the starting eleven, while Daryl Weston switched to central defence replacing the injured Andy Watson.

Both sides had early chances with Curzon keeper Dave Carnell doing well to turn away a Chris Rowney curler and Peter Collinge doing equally well to save from David Birch’s driven free kick.

Curzon took the lead in the 20th minute when Birch’s cross from the right was flicked past Collinge by the head of Chris Worsley.

The game swung quickly from end to end and both sides had opportunities before Curzon doubled their advantage on the stroke of half time. Substitute Daniel Shannon scoring well after dispossessing Aaron Chalmers.

Mossley weren't to be denied though and the Lilywhites made the perfect start to the second period when Matty Kay teed up Chris Rowney for a sublimely chipped goal from 25 yards.

Mossley pressed for an equaliser and substitute Mark Connor had a great chance to finish from Lee Blackshaw’s cross but shot straight at the keeper, then Ben Richardson saw a powerful free kick come back off the bar with Carnell beaten and Blackshaw could only head the rebound straight at the visitors keeper.

Curzon again gave themselves a two goal cushion when Daniel Shannon finished off a neat move that heavily involved the impressive Luke Mack on 68 minutes.

Mossley weren’t done though and reduced the arrears again five minutes from time when debutant substitute Danny Murray rose to powerfully head home Steve Settle’s right wing cross.

Mossley battled hard for an equaliser but couldn't quite force the opening despite some late pressure, though in the circumstances extra time would have been an unwanted bonus and it’s Curzon who hold the local bragging rights for the next seven days before the sides meet again at Seel Park on Tuesday evening in the 1st Round of the Evo-stik League President’s Cup.

Report by Wizard

pics by Smiffy