Mossley were disappointed to be held to a draw by underdogs Lincoln Moorlands Railway in the FA Cup on Saturday after not putting away a string of chances.

The bumpy Moorlands surface was something of a leveller, as was the referee who awarded an inordinate number of free kicks in the home side’s favour allowing them to put pressure on the Mossley defence with high balls fired into the visitors box at regular intervals.

Lincoln did their best not to allow Mossley to settle into their passing game and that was evident in the early stages as the Lilywhites struggled to take control of the game.

However, Mossley might have taken the lead with their very first attack of the match when Steve Settle, who led his marker a merry dance all afternoon, raced clear on the right and his low cross was met by Mark Connor who inexplicably attempted to slide the ball home were a simple tap in looked the better option and the ball was easily gathered by the outstanding Mario Ziccardi in the home side’s goal.

Peter Collinge saved well shortly after, diving to his right to catch a good effort by the dangerous Ben Good from what turned into the first of an ever increasing number of Lincoln set plays.

Mossley finally made the breakthrough in the 26th minute. Settle again raced clear down the right wing, this time his low deep cross eluded Connor but found Ben Richardson unmarked on the other side of the pitch. Richardson took a touch to steady himself before blasting an unstoppable shot into the top corner from 20 yards.

Mossley were denied a blatant penalty when Machin clearly handled in the box and Mossley had numerous chances to increase their lead but, that they failed to do so was to ultimately cost them.

The second half saw Mossley in almost complete control and it seemed only a matter of time before the Lilywhites put the game to bed.
However, Ziccardi proved to be the home side’s saviour on a number of occasions saving acrobatically to deny Mike Oates, substitute Mike Fish and Connor Hampson while some desperate defending ensured that Oates and Sam Hare were denied.

It was following Mossley’s most intense spell of pressure that Lincoln forced a 70th minute equaliser. A long ball into the Mossley box was misjudged by the otherwise impeccable Peter Collinge, allowing Ben Good to nip in to loop home an unlikely headed equaliser.

Mossley continued to press for a winner, but were lucky to escape with even a draw as in the last minute Good fired over the bar when perfectly placed to score and both sides were forced to settle for a largely unwanted replay.

Report by Wizard

pics by Smiffy