Mossley more than held their own against a near full strength Stockport County side in Tuesday's night's Seel Park friendly match before being pegged back by a late goal to draw 1-1 against the former Football League club.

Mossley rested Russ Saunders, Kevin McGrath and Louis Horne and gave a first start to recent signing Richard Bennett and it was he who gave the Lilywhites a 5th minute advantage.

County keeper Ryan Jones made a howler of a clearance from a back pass and sliced the ball straight to the feet of the tall new boy Bennett who was able to roll the ball into an empty net from fifteen yards with the County keeper stranded in no-mans-land.

Mossley were quick in closing the Skrill North side down throughout the game forcing the visitors into errors while they struggled to cope with the pace and movement of the impressive new boy Bennett along with the graft and guile of Dean Warburton, Simon Gallanders and Lewis Nightingale in midfield.

Mossley defended strongly with captain for the night Kyle McGonigle leading by example with some excellent interceptions and clearances. County floundered in attack despite some well known non league names in their forward line including one time Mossley hit-man Kris Dennis.

County had a strong bench and it showed after they made several substitutions in the 51st minute and enjoyed a better second half, though Mossley remained a threat going forward Lewis Nightingale going closest when he rifled a free kick inches past the post with the County keeper rooted.

It was one of the County subs who proved to be their saviour. Ian Craney headed County's equaliser from a left wing cross in the 86th minute, the ball coming down off the bar to just about cross the Mossley line and save the illustrious visitors blushes to deny Mossley a victory that few would have begrudged them.

Report by Wizard

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Richard Bennett