A quick-fire double strike by Dougie Carroll just before the interval was enough to see off the challenge of old rivals Lancaster City at Seel Park on Saturday as Mossley completed a League double over the Dolly Blues.

There were a few changes from the side that lost at Glossop on Easter Monday with full backs Caldon Henson returning and George Mannion given a first start, while up front Dougie Carroll came in for Tom Pratt.

Lancaster were very quick out of the blocks and had the ball in the Mossley net inside 30 seconds but scorer Zach Clark was clearly off-side.

It was an early warning sign that Mossley quickly heeded as Lancaster’s main attacking ploy was to play the lively Clark in through the channels. Inevitably the trick didn’t work as the Lilywhites defended stoutly throughout giving Liam Flynn a relatively trouble free afternoon.

Mossley won a succession of early corners with Dougie Carroll coming closest as his goal-bound effort was blocked close to the line.

Mossley were asking all the questions and the Lilywhites finally broke the deadlock on 41 minutes. The tricky Godwin Abadaki won a free kick just outside the box and Kyle McGonigle typical drilled daisy cutter of a shot was turned home from close range by Dougie Carroll.

The lead was quickly doubled with a fantastic strike by Dougie Carroll. The Mossley striker met the ball on the turn some 25 yards out to fire home a spectacular volley that left keeper Hale helplessly rooted to his line.

Mossley continued to look the more dangerous after the break as the Lilywhites continued to control the flow of the game with the highly rated Lancaster side offering surprisingly little threat but Mossley were unable to extend the lead.

There were chances though, the impressive Abadaki twice denied by City keeper Mike Hale. Hale also made a super stop to keep out substitute Dave Short’s rasping effort.

Mossley survived a late scare when a Lancaster shot hit the foot of a post but it was inevitably not enough for a side who had recently beaten League leaders Warrington Town and were one of the division's in form teams

There were a number of plus points for Mossley, not least keeping a clean sheet after recent defensive leaks had likely cost Mossley a real chance at the play offs. But, with the side generally playing well and all working hard for each other it still promises to be a good end to the season as players try to win a place in the cup final team at the end of the month.

Wiz

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