Mossley can have few complaints about going down 3-2 to neighbours Curzon Ashton in the Bank Holiday 'derby' at Seel Park but will be disappointed that the match clinching goal was scored from a clearly off-side position.

Mossley made a few changes from the side that rescued a point at Ossett Town on Saturday with left back Tom Walker making his debut and Mark Haslam replacing James Blair at right back. Danny Broadbent led a three pronged strike force with Dougie Carroll and Sam Madeley.

On the day, Curzon showed more composure in possession and controlling and dictating the pace for much of the game. Mossley often surrendering possession too easily and again appearing more open in midfield than would be preferred.

Broadbent had Mossley's first chance in the sixth minute when he powered through to face keeper Hakan Burton but the Turkish under 21 international stood firm and blocked the Mossley man's effort. At the other end Russ Saunders made a superb save to deny Chris McDonagh's powerful goalbound header.

Both sides were guilty of some wayward shooting as the game flowed from end to end but it was the visitors who drew first blood in the 23rd minute. A through ball from midfield saw ex Maine Road hitman Matt Warburton burst clear of the Mossley defence and he calmly slotted home past the advancing Saunders.

Curzon settled at that point with the experienced pair of Sam Walker and Chris Young controlling the middle of the park and the visitors comfortable held their lead through to the break.

Mossley changed their shape early in the second half with Brian Matthews and Callam Gardner replacing Broadbent and Carroll, but Curzon were still playing the more controlled football when Mossley scored an equaliser. Somewhat out of the blue on 59 minutes, a furious scramble in the Curzon box saw several high speed ricochets before the ball broke to Sam Madeley at the left hand post and the Lilywhites hitman rifled home from close range.

Mossley's joy was to be short lived as within a minute Curzon won a free kick deep on the left, Walker floated the ball in and Warburton got the slightest of touches to send the ball beyond Saunder's reach.

Mossley replaced Andy Keogh with Charlie Weir to give the forward line a more physical presence and the big target man caused a few new problems for the Curzon back line but it was to be a controversial goal that secured the points for the Blues. A through ball from Young was touched on by McDonagh leaving Warburton three yards off-side but the flag stayed down and Warburton held his nerve to complete his hat-trick despite Saunders' best efforts to keep him out and Mossley's protests were to no avail.

The Lilywhites gave themselves hope with 11 minutes remaining when Gardner's deep high free kick from the right was headed home at the far post by Kevin McGrath, but thereafter Mossley were unable to forge any clear chances for an equaliser as Curzon continued with their calm dominance of the midfield.

Report by Wizard