Mossley’s chances of gaining any reward from Saturday’s trip to title favourites Darlington were ended by two first half incidents which first saw Mossley reduced to ten men and then to one central defender.

The game opnede brightly with both teams probing for openings but chances were limited for both sides. Wayne Welbeck came closest for Mossley when he cut inside his marker but dragged his short wide of the near post. Darlington’s only effort of note was a speculative long range effort by the impressive Stephen Thompson which was well gathered by Russ Saunders.

There was nothing at all to separate the sides in the first 30 minutes. However, it all went horribly wrong when Kyle McGonigle was shown a straight red card for a stamp on Andy Johnson.

The home side took the lead in the 39th minute when Johnson cut inside the limping Ryan Marley, and pulled the ball back for Thompson to fire past Saunders. Centre back Marley hobbled off moments later to be replaced by Mark Haslam with Sam Halligan switching to central defence.

Mossley were justifiably upset with the home side’s second goal two minutes later as Purewal crossed from the right, Johnson appeared well off-side when he met the cross with a header that Saunders saved well. Johnson reached the rebound and somehow squeezed the ball back across the bi-line for Purewal to tap home.

Substitute Haslam was forced off at half time after Johnson lunged in on him but only received a yellow card and Danny McDonnell was Haslam’s second half replacement.

Mossley were left with a mountain to climb and that mountain proved unassailable as Darlington scored again in the 70th and 71st minutes. Firstly Moore crossed low to the near post and Dowson’s slight touch saw the ball bobble beyond Saunder’s reach into the far corner. Then the home side completed the scoring when Thompson switch the ball from left to right, Chris Moore took a great first touch that saw him cut inside to curl a fine goal beyond Saunders’ reach.

Darlington created several other chances in the second half but Saunders was in outstanding form making some superb saves, particularly a double one on one save from Purewal. At the other end Mossley’s chances were limited but Welbeck was unlucky to see his effort go wide of the far post after Keogh’s flick had sent him goalwards.

Mossley were left to lick their wounds and rue the loss of McGonigle and Marley which inevitably had a massive bearing on the result.

Report by Wizard