Mossley came out on top in a typically hard fought and absorbing FA Cup tie over League rivals Witton Albion at Seel Park on Saturday.

Mossley boss Shaun Higgins made six changes from the side that had sadly capitulated at Clitheroe a few days earlier. Andy Watson returned after missing Tuesday's debacle through work commitments and Danny Egan was recalled to the starting line up on the right. They was joined by Connor Hampson, Kris King, Michael Oates and Lee Blackshaw all making their first starts. Matty Kay, Mike Fish, Jordan Goodeve, Steve Settle and Osebi Abadaki all finding themselves warming the bench.

The Lilywhites, looking to put their poor start to the League campaign behind them, took the proverbial 'bull by the horns' in the early stages of this game without creating any clear-cut chances. Several attempts from distance failed to trouble visitors keeper Matt Cooper, that apart from a volley at the far post by Lee Blackshaw from Danny Egan's right wing cross that the Witton stopper saved well.

Mossley finally made a deserved breathrough in the 37th minute. Mike Oates broke down the right and found Chris Rowney who in turn played Connor Hampson in on the left. Hampson, making his full Mossley debut, saw his initial effort blocked by Cooper only for the ball to return to his feet.. The teenage midfielder then steadied himself before calmly beating Cooper and a despairing defender at the near post from the edge of the six yard box. Thereon Mossley continued to have the upper hand through to half time with Witton failing to trouble Peter Collinge's goal.

Witton changed their shape after the break and started, for the first time in the match, to cause the home defence any real problems. Kinsey headed wide from a great position and a powerful Carl Frost shot brought a good save out of Collinge.

Mossley, who were by now playing on the break with the visitors pressing desperately for an equaliser, should have extended their lead when a great run by Chris Rowney saw his pass accross to an unmarked Matty Kay intercepted at the last moment. It was though, Witton who continued to force the issue, this despite having been reduced to ten men when Parkinson limped from the pitch sometime after Witton had already used their allocated three substitutions.

Mossley finally sealed victory in the dying seconds. Another break by Rowney saw the home defence outnumbered. The assistant referee raised his flag for off-side as Matty Kay looked to take the ball from him. However, Kay didn't intercept and Rowney continued his run into the box, only to lay the ball off to the now onside Matty Kay for a simple tap in. After consultation with said liner, the referee awarded the goal and Mossley's safe passage to the next round, an away tie at the winners of the Glossop v St Helens Town replay, was finally assured.

This was a much improved performance by the Lilywhites and certainly something to now build on. The feeling was pervasive that Mossley had now fully gotten over the dismay of their previous game at Clitheroe.

report by Wizard

pics by Smiffy