Mossley completed their pre season program with a hugely entertaining 3-3 draw against neighbours Curzon Ashton at Seel Park on Saturday.

Curzon, last season's Division Champions, opened the game the brighter applying plenty of pressure as the Lilywhites struggled to find any kind of pattern to their play. Curzon going close on a couple of occasions and winning several corners before they finally took a deserved lead in the 25th minute. Steve Foster was rather harshly penalized for a tackle on former Mossley player Matty Kay and another Lilywhites old boy Sam Walker stepped up to curl a great free kick from 25 yards into the top corner of Liam Higginbotham's net.

Mossley were only behind for six minutes. A long ball out of defence was misjudged by a Curzon defender and Dougie Carroll raced through to calmly slot the ball past Hakan Burton for the equaliser. Moments later Mossley almost took the lead as Carroll struck a post following a neat attacking move. However, the Lilywhites wouldn't be denied and the by now much more confident looking Mossley took the lead on 39 minutes with an exquisite goal. Higginbotham's long ball was brought down superbly on the left wing by Carroll who's first time cross was met by Mike Fish's diving header that gave Curzon keeper Burton no chance.

The main blight on the day were injuries incurred by Tom Murray (ankle) in the first half and James Blair (knee) early in the second half.

Mossley chose to utilize the entire squad and gradually replaced all eleven starters during the second half. Curzon equalised in the 74th minute when a long ball from defence found a gap in the Mossley back line and young Curzon substitute Alex Samizaden raced through to slot the ball home. The goal marked by an overly acrobatic celebration.

Mossley weren't finished though and the Lilywhites leading scorer in pre season Brian Matthews restored the lead on 77 minutes as he drove home a superb angled half volley from 15 yards after some more tidy approach play.

Curzon came back again and Sam Walker brought parity for the visitors with a stunning 25 yard curler which gave rookie substitute keeper Billy O'Carroll no chance.

Mossley should have had the game wrapped up in the dying minutes when Steve Foster was denied as blatant a penalty as you are likely to see when he was clearly barged in the back as he bore down on the Curzon goal but referee Mr Derby was having none of it and the game ended all square.

Wiz

Smiffy's pics

Mike Fish heads home Mossley's second goal.