Sadly, it was the match officials who once more took centre stage as Saturday's 11 goal thriller at Kendal Town came towards conclusion, in what was the highest aggregate score in a Mossley match since a 9-3 win over Winsford United way back in the 1960-61 season.

Mossley had earlier come back from a 4-1 deficit to draw level at 4-4 with eight minutes remaining. However, when Charlie Anderson won a great tackle as the game entered the 90th minute, referee Mr Gargani inexplicably and scandalously pointed to the penalty spot. The referee and his assistant Mr Haycock were undoubtedly the only people in the ground who saw a foul. Mossley's Kyle McGonigle and joint manager Peter Band were both then sent off for their hugely justified protests. Rob Wilson then scored from the spot to give Kendal the lead once more.

The drama wasn't over even then as Kendal scored with their next attack as substitute Zach Clarke was allowed to run clear from a blatantly off-side position to put Kendal 6-4 ahead. Andy Keogh then reduced the arrears once more in the third minute of stoppage time to see a final scoreline of 6-5.

Mossley had begun the game badly failing to deal with a 2nd minute left wing cross that saw Danny Mitchley score from close range. Mossley then settled and were deservedly level in the 14th minute when Keogh's right wing cross was spilled by Kendal keeper King and Richard Bennett, making his first competitive start for Mossley, was on hand to pounce on the keeper's error.

A string of se pieces conceded put the Mossley defence under pressure as the Lilywhites struggled to cope with some super deliveries by Wilson which saw Mitchley and the newly re-signed Sefton Gonzales give Kendal a 3-1 half time advantage. Though the scoreline at that stage could have been higher as both sides also missed several decent chances. Anderson hitting the Kendal bar with an angled free kick and Richard Bennett having an effort blocked by the legs of keeper King being Mossley's best chances. In a frantic first half, Kendal also contrived to miss a harshly awarded penalty, given for an alledged foul by Mark Haslam but Mitchley's powerful spot kick hit the Mossley bar.

A change of shape at half time saw full backs Haslam and Horne replaced by midfielders Nightingale and Gallanders but the Lilywhites fell further behind when Mitchley completed his hat-trick when he scored from on the line in a clearly off-side position. The ref's assistant later claiming that Mitchley didn't touch the ball, although he clearly did as the goal was awarded to him.

As has been the way with Mossley this season, they don';t know when they are beaten and Charlie Anderson headed Mossley back into the contest from Nightingale's cross on 56th minutes and seven minutes later it was game on when Anderson rifled home a trademark free kick from just outside the box.

Mossley then put the home side under huge pressure and deservedly pulled the scores level in the 82nd minute when 'Man of the Match' Richard Bennett powered home a header. Mossley looked the most likely winners at the point until the referee's last minute aberration. Extremely hard luck on the tireless Mossley players who deserved at least a point from this bizarre encounter.

Report by Wizard

Richard Bennett

Charlie Anderson

Andy Keogh