Mossley gave mega bucks promotion favourites South Shields the fright of their lives at a wet and windy Seel Park on Saturday but were finally beaten by two late goals after a lengthy second half rearguard action playing into the teeth of ‘Storm Brian’.

There was little of note to report from the opening exchanges as Mossley made first use of the wind advantage but the high flying visitors were on the score-sheet in the 7th minute. Richardson’s deep cross finding Barrie Smith who struck a smart volley from the edge of the box which gave Oliver Martin no chance.

Six minutes later though and Mossley were level. Jack Tuohy’s corner saw a quick bout of head tennis in the box before Tom Dean powered home a header.

Mossley were having the better of it as the half progressed as Shields keeper Liam Connell was called into action to turn away Adam Latham’s angled effort.

At the other end Cogden broke clear but was denied by a superb last ditch Tom Dean tackle only for the referee to bizarrely award the visitors a penalty and Dean a yellow card.
Former Premier League star Julio Arca stepped up to take the spot kick but was denied by a brilliant save by Ollie Martin as seemingly justice was done.

Seven minutes before the break and Mossley were ahead. Connell made a complete hash of an attempted clearance and Jack Tuohy showed good composure to control and fire home as Connell tried desperately to recover.

It might have been 3-1 early in the second half as Adam Latham burst through but his deflected shot was brilliantly turned away by Connell and as the wind and rain increased in Shields favour that was about it for Mossley as an attacking force.

It was now the turn of the Mossley defence to dig trenches and they almost succeeded as wave after wave of Shields attacks rained down on the Mossley goal but the Lilywhites defence was in great form and when called upon Martin brilliantly tipped away Cogden’s point blank header.

However, it wasn’t to be for Mossley. On 87 minutes Julio Arca found space and hit a right foot daisy cutter that crept in at the post. Then in the final minute, after a terrific defensive performance by Mossley, South Shields stole the points at the death. Another referee error saw Sam Howell penalised and yellow carded as a Shields player clearly dived. Briggs deep free kick was headed on and substitute Jamie Holmes slid in at the far post to break Mossley hearts and take the points back to the north east.

Wiz

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