Mossley repeated the result of eight days earlier in going down 2-0 at Northwich Victoria in Saturday's FA Trophy 2nd Qualifying Round tie at Valley Road, Flixton.

On this occasion the Lilywhites had to play just over an hour with ten men following left back Phil Drummond's second red card in two games.

The game played in blustery , wet conditions also survived a second half thunder and lightning storm which saw both sides struggle to create clear openings as the strong wind played havoc with the game as a spectacle.

Mossley were without Louis Horne and Liam Boswell who both reported ill on the morning of the game which meant Mark Haslam switching to a surprise central defensive position. A job he did with good effect despite his lack of inches. A debut was given on the left side of midfield to new signing Dean Warburton, though he finished by playing out of position as emergency left back following Drummond's dismissal.

Again, Mossley weren't at their best and even with the wind at their backs in the first half failed to create any real openings. The closest coming from a long range Haslam that narrowly cleared the bar and a quality low Wayne Welbeck cross that invited a forward who never arrived.

At the other end Russ Saunders goal was under little threat in the opening third until a quick-fire double error by Drummond. Having given possession away needlessly he then chased Alex Taylor into the box and mistimed his tackle sending Taylor to the floor for a clear penalty. Drummond paid the ultimate price for his indiscretion and played no further part. Taylor brushed himself down and fired to Saunders' left from the spot to no avail as the Mossley skipper made a smart diving save to deny the one time Mossley loanee.

Taylor wasn't to be denied though and when Garvin got round the back of Warburton he crossed low for Taylor to knock home a poachers goal from close range.

The weather worsened after the break but the Mossley performance improved. Particularly after the arrival of substitutes McCarthy, Gallanders and Broadbent. But it was increasingly difficult to create chances playing into the teeth of a storm and Vics sealed the victory on 74 minutes when Taylor fired home his second goal from the edge of the box after Saunders had saved Burnett's initial effort.

There was no way back for Mossley after that and Saunders did well in making two great saves from powerful goalbound efforts in the closing minutes.

Report by Wizard