Mossley were left disappointed and frustrated by their failure to get anything from what was an evenly matched game at Lancaster’s Giant Axe ground on Saturday.

On a bright sunny afternoon with a gusting corner to corner wind and a firm pitch, Mossley were first to show with Harry Noon and Nathan Neequaye both charging down Lancaster clearances but refereeing decisions appeared to go the home side’s way as Lancaster edged their way into the game with a number of dangerous set pieces. It was from one such set piece that they took a 9th minute lead. Mossley needlessly conceded a left wing corner and Swarbrick’s well struck flag kick was powerfully headed home by centre back Danny Gregson.

Worse was to follow for Mossley as five minutes later the home side doubled their advantage when Danny Hattersley was given far too much room to pick his spot from the edge of the Mossley box.

Mossley enjoyed plenty of attacking pressure with Lancaster now happy to hump long balls up field to clear their lines. Noon and Neequaye both went close for Mossley but Lancaster defended stoutly to restrict Mossley’s chances.

Mossley again enjoyed the lions share of possession in the second half but were having little joy in breaking down the solid home defence. However, the games first really controversial incident came on the hour when Harry Noon pressured a mistake by Marshall and the home skipper collided with his own keeper with the ball trickling into the net. The referee inexplicably awarded Lancaster a free kick for a foul by Noon, who had actually made no contact.

A second refereeing blunder was to cost Mossley again fifteen minutes later when substitute Cameron Darkwah raced past his marker only to be clearly upended by Edgerton-Wilson. A certain penalty. Not so in the eyes of referee Underwood who yellow carded Darkwah for diving.

Mossley created several more half chances that came to nought while the home side had spent the entire half hoofing long balls to the dangerous Hattersley and Swarbrick without any reward for them either.

Report by Wizard