Mossley’s current defensive frailties were exposed again by an impressive attacking display by Lancaster City.

In front of their biggest home crowd for several years in the wake of the sad passing of club legend Neil Marshall at just 31 one years old last week, the home side came quickly out of the blocks and took an early lead.

Charlie Waters was allowed far too much room to get his shot away from outside the box and he hit a great strike into the bottom corner beyond the reach of Mossley keeper Niki-Lee Bulmer.

Bulmer, making his League debut for the Lilywhites went on to make a string of fine saves to keep Mossley in the game as Lancaster controlled the midfield with the lively and elusive Craig Carney along with wide men Jacob Gregory and Ryan Winder causing all kinds of problems for the Mossley defence.

The Lilywhites almost found an equaliser when Matty Burke’s clever back heeled shot was scrambled off the line but the home side doubled their advantage on the stroke of half time when Waters stole in through a static Mossley defence to fire home from ten yards.

Mossley made a double change at half time with Andy Keogh and Dave Short replacing Mark Haslam and Dale Jennings and the Lilywhites were given a lifeline when Keogh headed home John Bennett’s right wing corner on 52 minutes.

However, Lancaster’s response was swift, as Jacob Gregory nipped in for a clever finish mere moments later to open the two goal gap again.

Bulmer then made an amazing point blank save to deny Waters his hat-trick but Lancaster stretched their lead further when Gregory was again on target with half an hour remaining.

Mossley showed much better resolve than on Saturday and reduced the arrears when Dougie Carroll set up Mike Fish for a well taken goal from the edge of the box and with just eight minutes remaining a goalmouth scramble saw the ball break to Matty Burke who hit a great strike through a forest of legs to give Mossley hope of salvaging something from the game.

However, it wasn’t to be and the home side hung on for the narrow victory that in truth their overall play deserved.

Wiz