Mossley ought to have brought home their first three points of season at a dry and bumpy Cantilever Park this afternoon. That they didn’t was due to several missed chances and one defensive lapse in an otherwise compact and promising performance.

The Lilywhites got off to a good start. Outstanding debutant Danny Warner was unlucky with a powerful drive before Mossley took the lead in only the 8th minute.

Chris Rowney raked a pass across field to Ben Richardson who stepped inside two defenders before accurately and effectively aiming his 20 yard shot into the bottom left corner of the net with home keeper Pritchard rooted to his line.

Warrington might have equalised a few minutes later when ex Mossley man Gavin Salmon squared the ball to Tony Evans for what looked a simple tap in. However Evans saw his effort come back off the upright with the goal gaping. It was a rare moment of penetration for the Wire as Mossley dominated midfield despite the poor playing surface.

Warrington’s tendency to play long balls up to front men Salmon and Evans was largely ineffective and Mossley were the dominant force throughout the remainder of the half apart from a free kick that saw Collinge make an excellent save from Corrigan.

Mossley continued in the same vein after the break and a second goal looked like coming. Ben Richardson fired a superb free kick that Pritchard acrobatically turned away for a corner and the home keeper was then outstanding moments later when he saved Aaron Chalmers powerful header.

Then, out of blue and without warning Warrington were level. A cross from deep on the right was headed home by substitute Chris Gahgan with 74 minutes played.

Thereafter it was Mossley who had all the better chances, all falling to substitute Mark Connor. The first two chances saw Connor well placed only to see Pritchard save. The third chance in the closing moments of the game should have given Mossley the points. Fellow substitute Steve Settle crossed and Connor somehow spooned his shot over the bar from six yards with the Warrington defence floundering and Mossley were forced to settle for a draw.

Report by Wizard