A seven minute goal avalanche secured maximum points for Mossley in Saturday's visit to fellow mid-table side Burscough.

On an uneven surface and in breezy conditions the game was never going to be a classic, but the Lilywhites defended well when under heavy first half pressure and took their chances when they came along to secure a first ever win at Victoria Park.

The home side had first use of the wind advantage and attacked with great purpose from the off with keeper Chris Thewlis called into early action. However, it was Mossley who had the first effective attack in the 15th minute. Lewis Nightingale struck the bar with a fine 20 yard shot and Tom Pratt headed home the rebound. Unfortunately for Mossley the goal was disallowed for what looked a rather dubious off-side decision by the referee's assistant who was slow to raise his flag after the goal had seemingly been initially awarded.

Burscough then stepped up the pressure. A brilliant mazy run by Darren Brookfield ended with a fine block save by Thewlis and the Lilywhites then had to defend a lengthy succession of Burscough corners. The Mossley defence with Tom Dean outstanding at it's heart held firm and Thewlis was a more than competent last line of defence making two more good saves as Burscough with the wind at their backs sails aloft continued to ask most of the questions.

The second half was a different story as Mossley now held the advantage and began to control the midfield areas. However, Burscough perhaps ought to have taken the lead when Jordan Williams burst through from the left, but his shot past the advancing Thewlis struck the top of the bar and out for a goalkick when he perhaps ought to have done better.

Mossley took the lead on the hour mark. Tom Pratt broke down the right wing and his low cross was met by the in form Wayne Welbeck who rifled home from eight yards.

Two minutes later the Lilywhites doubled their advantage. Lewis Nightingale fired a set piece from the right wing, the ball just eluded the in-rushing Welbeck but centre back Tom Dean arrived at the far post to nod home from close range for his first goal in a Mossley shirt.

Mossley were by now firmly in the driving seat and five minutes later sealed Burscough's fate. Brian Matthews broke down the right wing and his angled through ball saw the hard working Welbeck race on to score from ten yards past the by now shell-shocked home keeper Tim Horn.

The Lilywhites coasted through the rest of the game and almost grabbed a fourth as substitute Charlie Anderson's whipped 25 yard free kick narrowly cleared the bar with Horn rooted to his line.

Report by Wizard

Wayne Welbeck

Tom Dean