A much changed injury and illness hit Mossley line up got back to winning ways on Saturday as they edged to a 2-1 victory at Prescot Cables.

The Lilywhites had to come from behind though following a whirlwind opening that saw Prescot take the lead just 43 seconds into the game.

Prescot attacked from the off and a headed clearance fell to Cables player / manager Neil Prince who powered home a smart half volley through a crowded Mossley box from 20 yards.

Mossley might have been level within a minute but Josh Granite’s goal-bound header was scrambled off the line.

Prescot were finding too much space for Mossley’s liking with attacking midfielders Phillips and Bootham, along with debutant signing from Marine - lanky centre forward Danny Whitehall, giving the Lilywhites reshuffled defence plenty to think about as the home side went close on several occasions with Andy Farrimond regularly called into action.

Mossley ought to have scored when a superb Brian Matthews cross from the right saw Andy Keogh have his header saved when a goal looked more likely.

Mossley were being forced to play on the counter attack and equalised on 27 minutes. Good work by Keogh and Matthews saw Sam Robinson get around the back of the Prescott defence and Lewis Nuttall was on hand to score his first Mossley goal in his first start from close range.

Mossley had to absorb more home pressure before the break but fortune was on the Lilywhites side as, despite a few shaky moments, the defence held firm.

Almost as quickly as Prescot had opened the scoring at the start of the game, the Lilywhites began the second half in similar fashion and Matthews played in Sam Robinson who’s angled shot found the far corner just 53 seconds after the restart.

Prescot’s play became more desperate as the half wore on and they ran out of both steam and ideas as Mossley comfortably contained the increasingly rare dangerous Prescot raids.

As the game entered it’s closing stages substitute Halifax loanee Dominic Marie burst clear but wasted the chance to put the game to bed, however, Mossley in the end showed few nerves as Andy Keogh played a captain’s role in keeping the ball in the corner to use up valuable seconds and after one last desperate Prescot raid fizzled out the referee brought a halt to proceedings and the Lilywhites were able to put recent disappointments behind them and move a place back up the table to 9th.

Wiz

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