Injury and suspension depleted Mossley were unfortunate not to take a point from the New Years Day local derby game at current League leaders Curzon Ashton.

The Lilywhites were again faced with enforced team changes tempered by the return from Bury of loanee Tom Pratt.
The visitors were again hit as early as the 7th minute when stand-in skipper John Bennett was injured with Luke McCarthy just returning from injury his early replacement.

Dean Warburton created Mossley’s first chance of the game which saw Curzon keeper Burton make a smart save to deny the dynamic Mossley midfielder’s fierce 25 yarder.

Mossley were enjoyed plenty of possession throughout but Curzon were clearly content to counter attack which they did to good effect, taking the lead somewhat against the run of play in the 27th minute. Matty Warburton finishing well after a through ball gave him the space to get his shot away.

Mossley worked hard to forge openings with Richard Bennett, Dougie Carroll and the lively Pratt a constant threat to the home side. However, it was Curzon who scored the next goal. Matty Warburton finishing from close range after Cummins shot came back off the post. The goal awarded despite Mossley’s off-side protestations.

Half time saw defender Tom Dean retire with injury and Mossley switched formation bringing on Wayne Welbeck to form a three man attack.

Welbeck made his impact felt in the 54th minute when his clever run saw him brought down by keeper Burton and a penalty awarded Dougie Carroll. Mossley’s leading scorer bagged his 13th of the season from the spot kick but rather surprisingly Burton received no card for the foul.

Mossley tried possibly too hard to force the issue in search of an equaliser but Curzon defended solidly with Mossley’s best chance coming in the final minute.

Curzon’s Ryan Watson had just been sent off for a second bookable offence when Dean Warburton hammered a screamer from 25 yards that Burton couldn’t hold. Lewis Nightingale followed up but somehow completely mis-kicked when in a great position to score and the Lilywhites last hope for the day had gone.

Report by Wizard