Mossley’s proud unbeaten away record came to an end at Shawe View on Saturday, going down away from Seel Park for the first time since March 2012 thanks to two pure striker’s goals from ex Mossley player Michael Oates in the first half.

In some ways, Mossley were architects of their own downfall.  The sides were evenly matched throughout with few chances at either end, but in the first half there appeared to be some confusion over the Mossley formation, having switched from 3-4-3 that had served them well in recent victories to a 4-3-3.  That shape was fluid though, and at various times the players seemed confused about where they should be and it meant that very little was created.

Early on, Shelton Payne should have opened the scoring for Trafford when Oates cross found him free from short range, but he put it wide.  As a counter, Nightingale snatched a shot over the bar from 12 yards having received Kayde Coppin’s pass.

Trafford took the initiative on 15 minutes.  Shipton was allowed to carry the ball to the edge of Mossley’s box and unleashed a shot.  This crashed against the underside of the bar, as Pearson dived to save, but Oates was alert to react and shape a header into the empty net.

Coppin nearly grabbed a trademark equaliser, twisting and turning at the edge of the area before firing a shot that stung the keepers hands, but he was able to push it wide.

On 31 minutes though, Oates doubled the lead when Payne hit a speculative shot from the edge of the area.  Pearson looked to have it covered, but failed to take the ball cleanly, spilling it to his right of the goal.  Oates again reacted first, sliding to put the ball in from a tight angle, under Pearson’s dive as he looked to make amends for his error.

Steve Halford changed things around at the start of the second half, with Sams’ Madeley and Hind coming on for Rowney and Haslam and 10 minutes into the half it nearly paid off as Madeley cut in from the right and laid the ball to Hind.  Hind teed up Nightingale who’s shot from 10 yards was going in but for a terrific Read save, low to his left.  Two minutes later, Hind did have the ball in the net as he touched in Young’s shot from the edge of the box after a corner had been cleared.  However, the linesman’s flag ruled it out.

Trafford were less adventurous now, and the game became a battle that both defences were winning, although if Oates had had any pace he might have punished Gorton’s poor defensive header on 77 minutes.  As it was, all he could do was attempt to lob Pearson and he put it over the bar.

What breaks there were in the game went Trafford’s way.  To highlight this, as time ran out Read spilled a long throw but the loose ball bounced onto a Mossley shoulder only to ricochet straight back into his arms.  It just wouldn’t fall Mossley’s way as they toiled for a chance, and indeed Oates forced a parried save at the death from Pearson with a shot from a corner.  He had been the difference between the sides.

Report by Jonathan Haggart