Mossley ended a disappointing game with only nine men in a 2-1 defeat against promotion rivals Trafford at a wet and miserable Shawe View on Saturday.

Mossley started with one enforced change from their last League outing with the newly re-signed Danny McDonnell replacing the injured John Bennett at left back.

It was the home side who opened the brighter causing the Mossley defence a few early flutters.

However, it was the Lilywhites who opened the scoring, somewhat against the run of play, on 19 minutes. Scott Kay swung in a free kick from the right wing and Mike Fish won the header which curled under the bar giving ex Mossley stopper Russ Saunders no chance.

The home side weren't behind for long though as just three minutes later Jack Dorney stole in at the near post to turn home a left wing cross for the equaliser.

Five minutes later and the result was put in peril as Mitch Bryant was shown a straight red card after the referee’s assistant had seen an off the ball incident.

Tom Pratt replaced Fish on 37 minutes Andy Keogh now leading the line and Mossley playing deeper with the aim of swift counter attacks brought on by the numerical disadvantage.

The second half saw Mossley open well and for a time looked the most likely ton re-take the lead.

However, as the half wore on Mossley raids became fewer and the home pressure intensified with Liam Flynn pulling off a couple of terrific saves to keep the home side at bay.

Mossley were still plucky on their rare raids though and were unlucky not to score when Tom Dean’s far post effort was cleared off the line by Danny Caldecott.

However, soon after that Trafford took the lead. Mossley failed to clear their lines following a Trafford set piece and substitute Sam Noar scrambled home the loose ball from close range.

Mossley tried hard to find a way back into the game. Scott Kay saw his clever free kick well saved by Saunders and Sam Robinson was a whisker away from connecting with Tom Pratt’s right wing cross.

Trafford were happy to run the clock down in the closing stages doing well retaining possession near the Mossley corner flag.

As the game entered stoppage time and several players playing ‘silly beggars’ in the same corner, Mossley conceded a free kick and Andy Keogh was shown a red card for allegedly kicking the ball at a prostrate Trafford player leaving Mossley very briefly with just nine players, and that was about that!

Wiz