Mossley manager Shaun Higgins gave a debut to recent signing Chris Hall which meant a change in formation to a 4-3-3 line up with Hall partnering Mike Fish and top scorer Kris Dennis in a three pronged attack. It was a move that backfired a little in as much as it changed the style of play which has been successful for the Lilywhites over recent weeks. All three found their service limited to balls played down the channels against a strong Witton defence.

Chances for both sides were limited in the first half. Peter Collinge making two great saves to deny the ever dangerous Alex Titchiner while Fish saw a low drive rebound off the foot of a post, Matty Kay had an effort blocked on the line, Graham Kay twice headed over when well placed and Hall stooped to head narrowly wide in possibly Mossley's best chance.

The second half saw both sides frustrated in their attempts to break the opposition down but it was Witton who took the lead with an extremely fortunate goal in the 55th minute. Jamie Harrison hit a shot from 20 yards that was flying hopelessly wide until it struck the unlucky Andy Watson and took the cruelest of deflections to fly past the stranded Collinge.

The goal gave Witton a big lift and the home side exerted some pressure before doubling the lead on 64 minutes when the hapless Watson held on to a Witton forward's arm in a goalmouth scramble and the referee awarded the home side a 'soft' penalty. Collinge was unlucky not to save Matt Doughty's spot kick as he parried the ball up against the bar only to see it then creep narrowly over the line as it rebounded down.

Mossley then adopted their usual formation as Hall and Danny Warner were replaced by Cavell Coo and Michael Thomas and then enjoyed their best spell of the game. Thomas was unlucky to be flagged off-side as he turned home Kris Dennis' free kick from what appeared an on-side position. Home keeper Matt Cooper was then called upon to make saves from Matty Kay, Fish and Steve Settle as Mossley never gave up trying to reduce the arrears but it wasn't to be on this occasion.

Report by Wizard