Mossley put in a terrific effort at Evo-stik Premier Division pacesetters Darlington in the FA Trophy at Heritage Park on Saturday only to go down by the odd goal in five to a late penalty.

With Tom Dean and Mitch Bryant unavailable, Mossley were forced into a couple of changes. John Bennett made his first start since being injured at Kendal in September while Dave Short and Mike Fish were recalled to the starting line up. There was also a debut on the bench for new signing Godwin Abadaki.

The Lilywhites can consider themselves extremely unlucky not to force at least a replay as they took the game top their illustrious opponents from the off.

After starting at a high tempo, Mossley had the first real chance when Fish and Scott Kay worked a short corner on the right and the formers cross saw Michael Thomas header come back off the Darlington crossbar.

After Fish and Caldon Henson had both gone close for Mossley, Darlington had their first chance when home debutant Jakub Hymr fired across the face of the Mossley goal.

Mossley deservedly took the lead on 19 minutes. A left wing throw in led to Dave Short cleverly pulling the ball back for Tom Pratt who stretched to control the ball before volleying home brilliantly from the edge of the box.

The home side finally exerted some pressure and a long throw from the right was deflected into the path of towering midfielder Adam Nowakowski who drove home through a crowd of legs.

Darlington went close again late in the half when Leon Scott’s diving header was saved at the second attempt by Liam Flynn.

After an end to end start to the second half the Quakers took the lead on 62 minutes. Lee Gaskell’s shot was blocked by Kyle McGonigle but the ball spun to the left and Lewis Walton hammered into the roof of the net from a tight angle.

Mossley responded strongly. Pratt was unlucky when his goal bound curler was deflected for a corner and Fish was denied by home keeper Jameson’s block save.

The equaliser came on 75 minutes. Scott Kay’s precision through ball saw Fish’s dummy open space for substitute Sam Robinson to step inside the last defender and calmly fire home from ten yards.

Unfortunately for the Lilywhites just three minutes later home sub Nathan Cartman burst through on Mossley’s right and was upended by keeper Flynn. The same player scored from the resultant penalty kick.

Mossley attacked with purpose in the closing minutes and came agonizingly close to forcing a replay when Man of the Match Michael Thomas wasn’t able to get a clean header on Kay’s last minute corner kick and Darlington held on for a barely deserved victory and FA Trophy progress.

Wiz

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