Mossley can have no complaints as they bowed out of the Doodson Sport Cup to Evo-stik League Premier Division big guns AFC Fylde at Seel Park on Tuesday night.
Mossley bosses Band and Morrison were forced to reshuffle the pack due to suspensions and injuries and gave a debut to young keeper Christian Thewlis while new signings Richard Bennett and Ryan Humphries were both named on the bench.
The Coasters new signing Mark Winslade almost marked his debut with a goal inside the first minute when he raced through but fired over the bar. Chances were few for either side thereafter though Fylde were the side controlling the midfield but the Lilywhites solid looking defence held firm with keeper Thewlis enjoying a confident debut behind the outstanding McGonigle and McGrath.
Mossley were hit by an injury to Charlie Anderson in the 16th minute which forced a further reshuffle with Dougie Carroll replacing him and Andy Keogh dropping back into midfield before the Lilywhites had the best chance of the half when a flowing move involving Lewis Nightingale, Ryan Marley and Andy Keogh ended with Nightingale firing wide with an angled volley.
The opening goal came the visitors way six minutes into the second half as Mossley lost possesion from a throw-in in their own half with Dave Hankin taking the ball to set up Winslade who fired into the bottom left corner giving Thewlis no chance from a central position just inside the box.
Dougie Carroll had a great chance to bag an equaliser when he latched onto McGonigle's long raking through ball, but the Lilywhites top marksman uncharacteristically screwed his shot wide when well positioned and the again impressive Tom Pratt was unlucky when his clever run and shot caused consternation for the visitors.
Thewlis made a fine save to deny Fylde substitute Joe Mullen as the viistors looked to put the game to bed before the tie was finally settled in the 70th minute. Simon Gallanders appeared to win the ball cleanly in a challenge on Fylde wing back Sumner but the referee thought otherwise and pointed to the spot. Joe Booth stepped up to send Thewlis the wrong way with a well struck penalty kick.
Mossley never gave up chasing and harrying their higher placed opponents and as the game drew to a close Carroll had another great chance to score but he again shot wide after creating a chance for himself with some typically clever approach play.
Report by Wizard