Mossley's hopes of taking part in the end of season promotion play offs were dealt a massive blow at rivals Ramsbottom United on Easter Saturday as two bizarre fluke goals in the space of three minutes gave the home side a 2-1 victory and strengthened the Rams own ambitions for a top five five spot.

The Lilywhites again named an unchanged line up but in sweltering conditions it was the hosts who were quickly out of the blocks as Ramsbottom twice got behind Mossley's back line but on both occasions Josh Ollerenshaw made excellent saves to keep the scores level.

At the other end Andy Keogh saw his effort comfortably saved by Sam Ashton and Max Leonard had a penalty appeal waved away as he was clattered in the box after good approach work by Godwin Abadaki.

The main talking point of the first half came just before half time when a melee saw Andy Keogh and Ramsbottom's Kieran Lugsden both red carded by referee Dale Baines after an off the ball incident.

It was hard to see where a goal was going to come from as the respective defences appeared well in control. That all changed on 71 minutes when Ramsbottom striker Jamie Rainford's completely mis-hit shot somehow looped in the air and dropped like a stone just under the Mossley bar.

Worse was to follow three minutes later when Rams substitute Iyrwah Gooden saw his shot which was traveling well wide take a wicked deflection off a Mossley defender before cannoning into the Mossley net.

Mossley pressed hard to try and get back in the game and hopes were raised three minutes from time when Adam Jones scored at the second attempt after the home side failed to clear a Mossley corner.

The Lilywhites were then heartbreakingly denied another penalty appeal when Max leonard again looked to have been clearly taken out in the box but the referee waved away Mossley appeals and Ramsbottom clung on to take the points to leave Mossley's play off hopes seriously dented.

Wiz