Mossley gave their worst home performance for a long time against bottom markers Leigh Genesis at Seel Park on Tuesday night. From a Lilywhites point of view it was a game to forget as quickly as possible.

From the gift wrapped goal conceded after just five minutes to the final whistle, the home side gave a display that was no better than inept. against a side with the poorest defensive and scoring record in the division. To say that Mossley beat themselves rather than Leigh contriving a famous victory would probably be an understatement.

Keeper Peter Collinge apart, not one of the starting eleven can say that they had anything resembling a good game either individually or collectively. The regularity with which the home side surrendered possession almost beggered belief as any lingering hopes of reaching the play-offs evaporated when Leigh finally killed the game off eleven minutes from time.

Mossley had barely been in Leigh's half of the pitch when the visitors took their early lead. Aaron Chalmers was caught in possession in Mossley's final third, Fairhurst crossed from the right, Collinge saved well from Millington's shot but the Mossley defence froze as former Mossley player Marvin McDonald rapped home the rebound from six yards.

Leigh created further chances as Mossley failed to retain the ball for more than two passes at a time with unforced errors the order of the day. Collinge saved well from Dempsey and recovered to clear from a dreadful Graham Kay goalbound backpass.

Mossley finally mustered a couple of chances but experienced visitors keeper Phil Priestley made a great double save to deny Mike Oates and Kris Dennis.

Mossley manager Shaun Higgins changed several players positions at the interval and Mossley began the second half brighter but the unforced errors continued. Kris Dennis went close with a shot that flashed over the bar and Priestley denied the same player from a well struck free kick.

The introduction of subs Chris Hall and Cavell Coo livened things up for the home side and the duo were Mossley's best players in the final half hour.

The feeling that Mossley would equalise at some point was pervasive, but the goal wouldn't come and it was Leigh who wrapped up the points with eleven minutes left on the clock. A static Mossley defence allowed Conor Millington to break clear and he slotted past the stranded Collinge to the great delight of Leigh's small band of followers.

Mossley should have had a penalty late on when Dennis was pushed in the back as he was about to shoot but it was as close as Mossley got in the closing stages and Leigh were fully deserving of maximum points with Mossley left to plan for a top half finish and to build a side set to challenge next season.

Report by Wizard

pics by Smiffy