Mossley matched in form Bamber Bridge blow for blow at Seel Park on Boxing Day but three defensive errors cost the Lilywhites points in what was an entertaining end to end game.

Mossley gave a debut to central defender Nat Kerr and the Lilywhites defence looked steady and solid as Brig made the early running, but that was to change in the 19th minute. A clipped through ball was missed by Mark Haslam and Brig's pacy Tom Williams raced down the channel only to be upended by the covering Kevin McGrath for a clear penalty. Brig number 9 Jerome Watt stepped up to send Russ Saunders the wrong way from the spot.

Mossley fought back well and played some excellent approach football and fully deserved the equaliser when it arrived in the 35th minute with a superb solo goal by Lewis Nightingale. The Mossley midfielder skipped past three challenges before curling a superb 25 yard effort into the top corner giving Brig keeper Steven james no chance whatsoever.

Five minutes into the second half the visitors regained the lead and it was the unfortunate McGrath who was again the culprit as his sliced clearance went straight to Curtis Thompson who made no mistake from the edge of the box.
Richard Bennett had a great chance to equalise when he raced through a gap only for James to block his efforts with his legs and Nightingale fired wide from the rebound.

The usually highly competent McGrath then made a howler that gave Brig a seemingly unassailable lead in the 71st minute when a cross from Mossley's left bobbled over his clearing foot and Jerome Watt was left with a simple close range tap in.

Mossley have a great record for coming from behind and after a spell of pressure reduced the arrears with five minutes remaining with another high quality goal. A flowing move from midfield saw Nightingale play a one-two with Richard Bennett before firing home from the edge of the box.

Sensing the possibility of an equaliser Mossley pressed forward for the remaining minutes but missed a glorious chance when a cross from the left saw debutant substitute Derryn Offori with the goal at his mercy but he ms-connected with his attempted volley and the ball flew wide much to Brig's relief and Mossley's disappointment.

The drama wasn't over though and as Mossley pressed forward again. Dean Warburton went into what looked a fair 50-50 challenge with a Brig player only for the referee to brandish the unlucky Mossley midfielder with a highly surprising red card to compound Mossley's woes at the end of what had been a much improved Lilywhites performance.

Report by Wizard