Mossley were desperately unfortunate to come away from Witton point-less on Saturday after a hard grafting and oft backs to the wall performance in a high tempo and often fractious game at the Help for Heroes Stadium.

New Mossley boss Steve Halford made two changes from Tuesday night's game with Lee Rick returning in midfield in place of Alex Byrne and Ben Fallows coming in at left back for his first appearance since September.

Witton were quick out of the blocks and enjoyed the early pressure that the Mossley defence soaked up well without the home side having managed an effort on target.

Having survived the early pressure Mossley began to create openings themselves. Kayde Coppin capitalized on a defensive error but was brilliantly tackled by Ben Harrison as he bore down on goal. Quickly after Tom Denton was denied by a clawed save by Matt Cooper when he powerfully headed Dan Queeley's left wing cross goalwards.

Mossley took the lead on 28 minutes. Queeley again got the better of his marker and whipped in a left foot cross that found Nathan Taylor at the back of the box. Taylor brilliantly and calmly dodged two tackles before chipping the ball up for Denton to head home his third goal in successive games from the edge of the six yard box.

Witton again enjoyed a spell of attacking play but the Lilywhites defence held firm superbly until three minutes into first half stoppage time when a low speculative 25 yard drive by right back Anthony Gardner found the far corner of the Mossley net much the relief of the previously frustrated home side.

The second period began with Witton forcing an early corner that saw keeper Peter Collinge injured as he came off his line to punch clear and the Mossley keeper was hampered thereafter.

Witton were now attacking with all guns blazing but the resilient Mossley defence again held firm brilliantly, throwing bodies in front of Witton shots as the home side attacked in waves. Witton's pressure was almost incessant throughout the half but Mossley gave a real hard battling backs to the wall performance against the impressive promotion chasers to deny Witton clear scoring chances.

With two minutes remaining Mossley had a great chance to snatch the points when a superb run and cross by Ben Fallows saw substitute Nathan Neequaye fire wide at the far post.

It all turned sour for the Lilywhites though with the game into stoppage time. A hopeful punt into the Mossley box by Matt Wood and Danny Andrews stole in at the far post to force the ball home from close range to give Witton maximum points.

It was tough justice on Mossley and their new management team who had given everything on the day and surely deserved a draw for their sheer endeavour alone.

Report by Wizard