Mossley again gave a good account of themselves against higher ranked opposition and can consider themselves a little unfortunate to not at least share the spoils with a full strength FC United of Manchester side.

It was the visitors who made the stronger start though and they took the lead with their first meaninful attack on five minutes. Ben Deegan tapped into an empty net from a suspiciously off-side posiution after good work by the elusive Carlos Roca.

Mossley steadied themselves and started to create openings but shooting was generally wayward with Matty Kay, Mike Fish and Steve Settle all seeing efforts flying off target.

FC United ought to have had a penalty when Peter Collinge upended Deegan but the visitors goalscorer only ended with a yellow card for his protestations.

Osebi Abadaki forged a great opening for Mossley with a mazy dribble but Kay's first time effort flew inches wide before Fish made a tricky run but elected to shoot when a pass to his left would have given Abadaki with a tap in.

The game moved from end to end with few chances created thereafter but FC United doubled their advantage in the 54th minute when Mike Norton scored with a thunderous header from a left wing corner.

Mossley pressed again  and Fish again went close and substitute Raducio King caused problems for the Rebels with a mazy dribble into the box that was just about scrambled away.

Mossley finally got the goal their endeavours deserved seven minutes from time when good work by Ben Richardson and Mark Connor on the right saw the latter tee up Chris Rowney to pass the ball into the net from the edge of the box.

Mossley pressed hard for an equaliser and nearly got it in the last minute. A frantic scramble in the box just eluded Mark Connor as he tried to adjust his body position as the ball spun up to him but the United Rebels goal-line just about survived.

pics by Smiffy