Mossley showed great resolve to take maximum points against a hard working Prescot Cables side on Saturday on what was a poor playing surface at Valerie Park.

Mossley boss Steve Halford brought Ben McNamara back into the starting line up in place of the injured Ben Richardson as Mossley reverted to a 3-5-2 formation, but Mossley struggled to replicate their recent good form.

The home side opened strongly and dominated the first twenty minutes without troubling Martin Pearson's goal. Prescot had come the closest when a John Couch header flew narrowly wide, but the only real first half talking point was a skirmish near the touch-line that saw McNamara and Prescot skipper Joe Gibiliru receive yellow cards. In fact, neither side managed an effort on target in the entirety of a very forgettable opening half.

Prescot again opened well after the break and finally took the lead on 53 minutes. Much sought after striker Steven Tames climbing to head home Couch's right wing cross after Mossley had failed to clear their lines from a Prescot corner.

Kayde Coppin replaced Ben Fallows in the 59th minute and the Lilywhites fortunes improved almost immediately. Coppin's 64th minute cross was handled by Kinsella and Mossley were awarded a penalty. Tom Denton stepped up to confidently stroke home the spot-kick sending Cables keeper Liam Davies the wrong way.

The goal gave Mossley a huge lift and six minutes later they went in front. Mossley replaced Danny Hudson with Steven Yarwood just before McNamara sent Coppin bursting through a defensive gap, Davies blocked his shot but the ball rebounded back. Now with his back to goal Coppin laid the ball off to Denton but a defender blocked his effort on the line before the ball returned Mossley's way once more and this time Lee Rick made no mistake from fifteen yards.

The lead lasted only two minutes as a floated left wing cross was headed back across goal by Tames for Michael Grogan to force home from close range.

The game looked to be heading to a draw as Prescot had run out of ideas barring a couple of high balls into the box but Mossley looked the more determined to search for a winner, and so they did. With seven minutes remaining Danny Queeley broke down the right and pulled the ball back for Lee Rick. Rick's high hanging cross deceived the keeper and Denton was somehow determinedly able to wrestle the ball back for substitute Yarwood to score his first Mossley goal and what proved to be the winner from ten yards.

Prescot pushed forward again looking for an equalizer and Pearson had to get down well to save Fraser Ablett's shot. Mossley were then dealt a blow when McNamara was shown a second yellow and hence red card for failing to retreat quickly enough from a Prescot midfield free kick award.

Halford came on as an extra defender for the final minutes, leaving Mossley to create an ultra defensive formation that comfortably saw out the remaining time and to earn Mossley an excellent and important away victory without ever playing at their best.

Report by Wizard