Mossley were unlucky to go down to their first home defeat of the season when losing 3-2 to promotion hopefuls Warrington Town at Seel Park on Saturday.

The Lilywhites gave a debut to ex Macclesfield and Southport midfielder Scott Kay but were still shorn of their regular central defensive partnership of Tom Dean and Kyle McGonigle.

It was those defensive frailties that went some way to causing the Lilywhites to concede three first half goals as Warrington took full advantage.

The opening goal came on 13 minutes as a swift Warrington attack down Mossley’s left wing ended with Chris Gahgan turning the ball home from ten yards.

It took Mossley only two minutes to find an equaliser though as Tom Pratt and Scott Kay combined and the latter crossed to the far post for Luke Horrocks to slot home from close range.

The Lilywhites fell behind again in the 22nd minute when they failed to deal effectively with another Warrington attack and Steven Gillespie headed home Gahgan’s cross.

Again Mossley responded when Kay’s left wing free kick was bundled home at the far post by Ryan Marley to restore parity again.

It was however, the visitors who once more took the initiative when Mossley old boy Ciaran Kilheeney scored what proved to be the winner after keeper Liam Flynn and young defender Jack Pritchard got in a tangle allowing Kilheeney a simple tap in.

Mossley took the game to the visitors after the break and were unlucky not to equalise on several occasions. Mitch Bryant was unlucky when his clever back heel from Tom Pratt’s pull back was blocked on the line by the keeper’s shin.

Kay’s clever free kick outfoxed everyone except Wire keeper Karl Wills while Wills also denied Tom Pratt and substitute Rhys Nevins’ acrobatic effort.

Mossley almost snatched what would have been a deserved equaliser in the final minute when Pratt’s right wing corner saw substitute Ryan Hibbert head an inch the wrong side of the left hand post and Warrington survived to take maximum points.

Wiz

Smiffy's pics

Tom Pratt fires goalwards