Mossley took their current winning sequence to four games and thus maintained their six point lead in Division One North of the Evo-stik League with this 3-1 Seel Park victory over mid-table Burscough at Seel Park on Saturday afternoon.

Manager Steve Halford brought recent signing Chris Brown back into the starting line up with Jay Gorton reverting to his more familiar midfield role. Cavell Coo replaced Mark Haslam in the right wing-back role while Sam Madeley partnered Kayde Coppin up top. Mossley were without Shaun Williams due to a family illness with Brad Yearwood returning to the bench after a brief loan at Chadderton.

Mossley were quick out of the box and took the lead in only the 3rd minute. A Mossley corner saw the ball clearted only as far as Jay Gorton on the edge of the box. His powerful drive came down off the cross-bar and Sam Madeley was left with a simple close range tap in.

Going a goal down early on away to the League leadeers could have seen some sides buckle, but Burscough showed great spirit in the way they worked themselves back into the game. Showing good pace and movement up front they scored an equaliser on ten minutes. Mossley gave the ball away cheaply in midfield and a deep cross to the far post saw Will Jones find a way behind Mossley's defence to volley home from six yards.

The goal gave Burscough a big lift and Mossley were guilty of some sloppy passing which gave the visitors further impetus though Mossley keeper Martin Pearson was rarely troubled despite some very neat approach play.

It was Mossley who created the next good chance as Madeley ran on to a through ball only for Burscough keeper Tim Horn to save Madeley's placed shot with his legs. Chris Rowney was a whisker away from getting on the end of Madeley's right wing cross, Jay Gorton headed wide and Kayde Coppin's fierce free kick was well held by the impressive Tim Horn.

The second half saw Mossley in almost complete control but the Lilywhites were wasteful in front of goal as Madeley and Gorton both headed wide when very well placed and sevceral other half chances came and went.

Mossley were almost made to pay for missed chances when Nial Cummins thought he had headed Burscough in front but the assistant's flag had been raised and two minutes later Mossley were back in front. Coppin played the ball to Gorton who's flicked through ball saw Sam Madeley race clear to fire past the advancing Horn on 65 minutes.

Mossley now had a stroing grip on the game and dealt comfortably soaking everything Burscough could muster and attacked confidently on the counter with Coppin and Madeley now finding their runs met by better service from midfield.

The third and clinching goal came in the 79th minute whenj substitute Gary Gee's played a perfect through ball, Kayde Coppin spun off the shoulder of the last defender and fired right footed past Horn and into the corner of the net.

Mossley might have added two further late goals but Horn pulled off a couple of wonder saves. First somehow denying Coppin who simply hammered a shot from close range and then making a fine tip away to deny Jay Gorton.

In the end another excellent three points for the League leaders in advance of next Saturday's tough looking away fixture at fifth placed Ramsbottom United.

Report by Wizard