A strong first half showing on the artificial surface at Hyde United on Tuesday evening was enough to earn the Lilywhites maximum points with a 2-1 victory.

The Lilywhites gave a debut to new signing Matty Burke and he put in an accomplished performance in central midfield.

In dreadful weather conditions Mossley opened the stronger and went on to dominate the first half.

The opening goal arrived on 19 minutes. A long ball down the left channel from the Mossley defence was misjudged by Matt Dempsey and Dave Short latched on it to fire a smart shot into the far corner past one time Mossley keeper Russ Saunders.

The Lilywhites continued to play all the football and deservedly stretched the lead a few minutes before the break. A flowing move finished with Mike Fish forging a perfect low cross into Dave Short’s path which the burly striker confidently stroked home.

The second half was an almost total contrast as Hyde came back strongly after the break but they were terribly wasteful in front of goal as several shots flew high, wide and not very handsome.

At the other end substitute Jordan Bove came close seconds after entering the fray and Tom Pratt fired wide when well placed.

Hyde finally got on the score-sheet in the 75th minute. An uncharacteristic slip by Ciaran Harper allowed former Bury striker Andy Bishop the space to halve the arrears and set up a tense finish.

However, Mossley weren’t for capitulating and defended well when necessary to limit Hyde’s chances of finding an equaliser to a couple of crosses which Liam Flynn was able to deal with.

Wiz