Mossley fell to second successive home defeat at the hands of Cammell Laird at Seel Park on Saturday after being sucker punched by two first half strikes from the Birkenhead side.

It all opened very brightly for Mossley, they retained possession well after Tuesday night’s shoddiness, and threatened to open the Lairds defence at any moment. However, when the best early Mossley move ended with Steve Settle firing into the side netting Lairds were let off the hook.

Lairds had done nothing as an attacking force when Graham Kay gave away a needless free kick down Mossley’s left channel. Wheeler whipped in a low free kick and the Mossley defence didn’t react to Peter Collinge’s save and centre back Chris Adamson knocked home the rebound.

The goal visibly lifted the visitors and they began to threaten more as the half wore on. Mossley were lucky to escape when Evason broke clear but could only find the side netting as Collinge’s approach forced him wide of the goal.

It wasn’t over for Lairds attack though when a high ball that seemed to be destined for a throw in gusted infield to Evason, his accurate cross was volleyed home by lanky young striker Aaron Bowen.

Out of sorts Mossley skipper Graham Kay was replaced by Aaron Chalmers on 38 minutes and Mossley’s defence looked stronger throughout the remainder of the game.

Mossley pressed hard in the second half but the visitors defence remained unbreached until Mossley finally found the net on 83 minutes in controversial circumstances. Matty Kay poked a ball through a crowded defence and the assistant raised his flag for off-side against Mike Fish. However, Fish moved aside without becoming active and Kris Dennis fired home to give Mossley hope with time running out.

However, the visitors defence held firm as Mossley failed to make serious inroads and Lairds were able to take the three points back across the Mersey.

Report by Wizard

pics by Smiffy