Mossley were desperately unlucky not to come away with at least one point from their visit to play off chasing Lancaster City on Saturday.

The Lilywhites performance was a dramatic improvement from the previous outing against Trafford. Richard Bennett returned to lead the line superbly, Dean Warburton was recalled to the starting line up while Marly Gough was given his first start.

Lancaster’s one dimensional direct style was largely ineffective in a first half that saw Mossley control possession and create the better openings.

Tom Pratt created the Lilywhites first clear chance when his run and low cross somehow eluded both Bennett and Wayne Welbeck while at the other end Tom Kilifin won a race for a long ball with keeper Christian Thewlis but the Lancaster wide man shot tamely into the side netting.

Mossley had a strong penalty appeal ignored when Marshall clearly handled in his own box while Pratt saw his shot flash narrowly wide of the post with Hales well beaten.

Disaster struck just before the break though. Mossley were briefly reduced to ten men with left back Andy Brown off receiving treatment. Mossley lost possession on the right wing and the ball came in to Jordan Connerton. His first time shot was blocked, Clark fired the rebound off the foot of the post but the ball came back again to Connerton who made no mistake. Brown, unable to continue, was replaced by James Blair moments later.

Mossley came out of the blocks for the second half firing on all cylinders after the break and took just two minutes to restore parity with a goal of high quality.

Marly Gough made a forceful run from midfield before playing in Tom Pratt down the right. Pratt pulled the ball back for Matthew Wilkinson to cross from deep and Richard Bennett appeared at the far post to flash home a firm header much to the delight of the travelling Mossley faithful.

Mossley continued in the ascendancy as Lancaster, clearly rattled. struggled frantically to stay in the game. Another deep Wilkinson cross saw Welbeck head narrowly over before Mossley were hit with a sucker punch on 55 minutes.

An off-side looking Gavin Clark broke clear on the end of a long ball. His effort was blocked by Thewlis, the ball rebound was blocked on the line by McGrath but the ball broke kindly for Clark to score at the third attempt in much the same way as the first goal.

Mossley’s heads didn’t drop and Bennett was desperately unlucky when his 25 yard pile-driver struck the angle of post and bar and bounced to safety.

Lancaster constantly broke Mossley’s attacking play up with niggling fouls but the referee’s cards stayed surprisingly in his pocket.

Substitute Dougie Carroll was then fouled just inside the box but the referee gave Mossley a free kick just outside which saw Bennett’s effort blocked by the defensive wall and Mossley’s last chance of salvaging a deserved point had gone.

Report by Wizard

Tom Dean

Richard Bennett