It was a Mossley side totally shorn of it’s regular defence that travelled to Harrogate Railway Athletic on Monday night.

With Caldon Henson, Tom Dean, Kyle McGonigle and Lee Wilshaw along with defensive midfielder John Bennett all either unavailable or injured it was always going to be a big ask to come away from Harrogate with anything other than a defeat. Unfortunately for the luckless Lilywhites that is exactly how it panned out.

Mossley had three players making their first starts for the club;- Ryan Hibbert, Jake Williams (signed on the day of the game from Buxton) and striker Dave Short.

After a bright opening which saw Mossley win a couple of corners, their defensive frailties were punished twice in the space of three minutes.

Ryan Sharrocks wriggled his way through the Mossley box to beat Liam Flynn at his near post and two minutes later the same player crossed from the right for Stephen Bromley to power home a fine header.

The only natural central defender in the Mossley back four Jack Pritchard then limped out of the action as the Lilywhites were forced into another change. Luke Horrocks slotting in at left back.

It was substitute Rhys Nevins who then asked the most questions of the home defence as his cross from the right was turned over the bar by Dave Short.

The home side then came close again as Stockdill’s powerful thirty yard daisy cutter came back off the foot of the post.

The second half saw spells of pressure by both sides but no further goals as shots by both sides failed to greatly trouble wither keeper.

Hopefully Mossley will have some of their ’big guns’ back and possibly a couple of new signings in the squad for the visit of Warrington Town on Saturday.

Wiz