The new look Mossley team lost a half time lead in going down to a 3-1 opening day defeat at the hands of relegated kendal Town at Seel Park on Saturday but in many ways have only themselves to blame.

Mossley joint managers Peter Band and Lloyd Morrison were dealt a blow when central defender Ryan Marley injured a foot in training on Thursday and with fellow centre back Charlie Anderson away, the Lilywhites bosses were forced to play midfielder Kyle McGonigle in defence alongside the impressive Kevin McGrath with John Bennett taking over McGonigle's role as the holding midfielder.

The Lilywhites gave a promising first half performance with the in form Lewis Nightingale providing the midfield spark which saw the home side create a number of chances as the visitors struggled to cope with his pace and movement.

The first real chance of the game came Nightingale's way ten minutes in when his powerfully driven 25 yard free kick skimmed the outside of the post with Kendal keeper Clifton rooted to his line.

Kendal's big summer signing Jordan Connerton was to prove a thorn in Mossley's side and he went close with a header from ex Clitheroe winger Zach Clark's right wing cross before Nightingale again caused havoc in the Kendal back line when he crashed a thunderous 20 yard effort off the underside of the bar with the ball bouncing down into Clifton's grateful arms.

The Lilywhites deserved the lead they took in the 36th minute. Mark Haslam finding space to cross from deep on the right and Andy Keogh arrived unmarked in the box to glance a header past the stranded Clifton.

Mossley retained the lead soon before the break thanks to a fantastic reflex save by Russ Saunders who denied ex Lancaster and Crewe man Connerton when he looked a certain scorer.

With a strong wind picking up momentum Mossley found themselves playing into the teeth of a gale in the second half and as the wind increased so did Kendal's momentum. Mossley struggled to make headway as Kendal closed down space quicker and the experienced ex Blackpool star Danny Coid took charge of the midfield.

Kendal equalised in the 57th minute thanks to ex Altrincham striker Danny Mitchley who cut inside a flat footed Mossley defence to fire home from ten yards after controlling Clark's right wing cross.

The visitors were now in the ascendancy with the Lilywhites unable to find any outlet as strikers Broadbent and Hurst became increasingly isolated. Instead, the Lilywhites began to surrender possession with alarming regularity and the goal that gave Kendal the lead on 76 minutes was the prime example of that new tenancy. Ryan Hopper was the unlikely miscreant as his wayward pass led to Mitchley's shot which Saunders could only turn away into the path of the in rushing Connerton who was left with a simple tap in.

The arrival on the pitch of Charlie Weir and Brian Matthews gave Mossley a fresh impetus and both had shots at goal along with McGonigle who saw his powerful effort well held by Clifton, but on the whole the experienced Kendal defence repelled Mossley's advances and salt was rubbed in Mossley's wounds in the dying seconds. Full back Ross Lloyd held off Haslam's challenge to find Connerton who fired home from 15 yards to complete the scoring as the game ticked into overtime.

Mossley will look to bounce back quickly from this defeat when they take on Wakefield on Tuesday with last season's top scorer Sam Madeley available again following suspension.

Report by Wizard