A point gained or two points lost depends on your viewpoint following this end to end tussle in front of another healthy crowd against play off chasers Skelmersdale United at Seel Park on Saturday.

Mossley were presented with the Manchester Premier Cup before the game which offered a somewhat surreal opening to the occasion.

Mossley had Danny Queeley, Joe Heap and Steve Yarwood back in the starting line up as Steve Halford reverted to the system which has worked well in recent games but wasn't employed in the defeat at Farsley the previous Saturday.

Both teams had early half chances but chances were in truth in short supply at either end as the game wore on. Skelmersdale were a very dangerous counter attacking team but Mossley's back three coped admirably well for the most part while at the other end the towering presence of Tom Denton and the pace and movement of the Lilywhites approach play caused more than a small amount of consternation in the visitors defence.

The hard grafting and livewire Kayde Coppin had a great chance to give Mossley the lead when he raced through a gap but lacked the necessary composure and hit his shot hurriedly over the bar.

There was plenty of activity around the Mossley box and the visitors flashed a couple of efforts narrowly wide before Mossley took the lead on 22 minutes. Tom Denton was bearing down with a clear route to goal before he was brought down by Skem midfielder Joe Evans. Referee Mr Swallow pointed to spot but surprisingly only brandished a yellow card to the player who was clearly the last man. Denton picked himself up to send Skem keeper Sam Ashton the wrong way from the clear resulting penalty.

Mossley's lead lasted only two minutes when Hine peeled off at the far post and pulled the ball back for the League's leading marksman Shaun Tuck to score a poachers goal from the edge of the six yard box.

Mossley forged away ahead on the stroke of half time. Denton again caused havoc in the Skem defence and Ashton made a brave save with a little help from his left hand post to prevent the Mossley big man from scoring only for the ball to break for Steven Yarwood to fire into an open net from close range.

Mossley might of had another penalty very early in the second half when Coppin was clearly brought down but the referee wasn't inclined to give Mossley a second penalty and play was waved on.

Skem found their second equalizer on 58 minutes. Martin Pearson had just made his best save of the day to deny Tuck's long range effort but it was another effort from outside the box that was to beat him moments later. Substitute Shaun Williams running onto a well placed pass to rifle an unstoppable shot that barely left the ground leaving Pearson clutching at air.

As the half wore on Skem looked the stronger team as Mossley failed to find a real outlet, though Denton and Coppin both had chances to regain the lead for the hosts. However, Skem seemingly ran out of ideas and their only chances came through impressive wing back Lewis Field who twice fired over the bar when well placed.

Report by Wizard

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