Mossley first led and than had to come from behind to beat a youthful and lively Kendal Town side at Seel Park on Saturday.

After three weeks of competitive inactivity due to the adverse weather one might have expected a little ring rust from both sides, but the game proved nothing of the sort as both sides looked to attack at high tempo at every opportunity.

Kendal were the first to fire across Mossley's boughs as Charlie Bailey's rasping drive narrowly clearing the bar but it was Mossley took the lead on ten minutes.

The Lilywhites won successive corners and from the second Tom Pratt's flag kick found the Michael Thomas who's powerful far post header was turned home from close range by Mike Fish despite Kendal defenders' desperate attempts to block.

Mossley appeared in control but Kendal were a threat on the counter attack with the speedy Morecambe loanee Nathan Bondswell their preferred outlet.

It was Bondwell's pace that earned him an equalising goal on 21 minutes when he raced onto Charlie Bailey's through ball to slot past the advancing Liam Flynn from the edge of the box.

Four minutes later and the visitors took a shock lead. The otherwise faultless Caldon Henson was robbed of possession by Dan Pattinson in the right hand corner when trying to see the ball out for a goalkick and the ball found it's way to the Mintcakes other Morecambe loanee Sam Bailey who struck a sweet 25 yard angled shot beyond Flynn's reach and into the top corner.

Mossley were wasteful in front of goal as several reasonable chances were squandered. Tom Pratt and Sam Robinson being the main culprits while Kendal twice cleared off their line and Tom Dean had a goal chalked off for an alleged push following a Mossley corner.

The second half saw Mossley become increasingly dominant with Pratt, Keogh and Robinson all going close as the Lilywhites turned up the pressure.

Mike Fish burst through a gap and appeared to be taken out by Kendal keeper Will Kitchen as he looked a certain scorer. Penalty, no! Not according to referee Mr Mulhall who, somewhat surprisingly, awarded Kendal a goal kick and showed Fish a yellow card for alleged simulation. This despite him dislocating a shoulder and having both sock and shin pad damaged in the incident. Fish was unsurprisingly immediately replaced by Dave Short.

However, all was not lost as just a minute later Mossley had the equaliser their enterprising play deserved. Pratt's angled clipped through ball found Andy Keogh who cleverly poked the ball home from an awkward angle.

Three minutes later and Mossley were back in front as the referee this time did award the Lilywhites a penalty. Sam Robinson was clipped on the dead ball line by Mike Aspin during another spell of Mossley pressure and Tom Pratt stepped home to hammer home what proved to the winning goal frrom the spot kick.

With around 25 minutes still to play Mossley now had a lead to protect. However Kendal's attacks were met by Henson, Thomas and Dean who all defended well while left back Scott Cheetham eventually got the better of the previously elusive Bondswell to somewhat stunt Kendal's threat.

Robinson, Short, Keogh and Dean all came close to extending Mossley's lead as the Lilywhites comfortably held Kendal at bay to take a fully deserved three points.

Wiz

Smiffy's pics

Tom Pratt scores the winning goal