Despite a defensive performance that can best be described as frail, Mossley were in the end unlucky not to return from a hugely improved Harrogate Railway with a share of the spoils on Saturday, finally succumbing to a goal in the fourth and final minute of stoppage time after a raunchy second half comeback.

The game started in the worst possible way for the Lilywhites, finding themselves trailing by two goals with only ten minutes on the clock.

It started In the fifth minute when the Mossley defence inexplicably opened up and Railway centre forward Steve Palfrey had the simplest of chances to fire home from ten yards.

The homesters lead was doubled five minutes later as Mossley lost possession in the Harrogate half and the ball found Palfrey in acres of space on Mossley’s left wing and he deftly flighted the ball over the stranded Ollerenshaw and into the Mossley net.

Mossley attempted to force the pace and Cavell Coo was impressive on the right side of midfield as he attempted to help Mossley back into the game with some mazy runs and a couple of fierce shots that flew narrowly wide.

Mossley finally found a foot-hold in the game with a couple of minutes of the half remaining as Lee Blackshaw turned the ball home from close range following a goal-mouth scramble.

The referee then harshly blew the half time whistle when Blackshaw had turned the last defender with a clear run on goal.

Mike Fish replaced Connor Hampson at the break but things turned sour again for Mossley in the opening minute of the second period when Kevin Ryan found space to fire home from close range as Mossley made a mess of clearing their lines.

Mossley claimed a penalty when Aaron Chalmers was brought down in the box but the referee waved away the Mossley appeals but had no choice five minutes later when Sam Hare was fouled and Mike Fish stepped up to blast home the penalty.

Mossley now began to control the game and should have had another penalty when Fish’s shot was blatantly handled but the referee would have none of it.

The Lilywhites would not be denied though, as Mike Fish fired a fine equaliser from the edge of the box with only three minutes of normal time remaining.

Fish, who had an outstanding second half, almost snatched victory but flashed a twenty yarder inches wide.
It was Harrogate who had the last laugh though. With barely seconds of the game remaining. A high ball into the Mossley box from the right wasn’t dealt with and Kevin Ryan rose highest to head home to break Mossley hearts.

Report by Wizard

pics by Smiffy