Mossley made it two wins out of two when beating Widnes 2-1 in Tuesday's night's first ever meeting of the clubs.
The Lilywhites team showed only one enforced change. With Jonny Diba unavailable rookie keeper harry Turner, signed on dual registration from Ashton United, stepped into the breach and gave a decent account of himself.
Widnes were strong and direct testing the Mossley defence regularly throughout a first half in which the visitors had the upper edge.
It was Mossley who came closest to breaking the deadlock in the opening half though, as Max Leonard's 40 yard effort came back off the inside of the left hand post with Widnes keeper Richie Mottram saving Mike Fish's rebound effort. Fish was again denied by Mottram soon after.
Mossley looked much better after the break and went earnestly in search of the opener. The Lilywhites were aided on 51 minutes as Widnes midfielder Sam Sheen took out Andy Keogh with a two footed lunge and was instantly red carded.
A goal was clearly on the cards after this as Mossley began to lay siege to the visitors goal. Leonard and Fish both again went close as did Godwin Abadaki who caused problems for the Widnes defence all evening.
The inevitable goal came on 61 minutes. Keogh's delightful cross from deep on the right was deftly headed into the bottom corner by a stooping Max Leonard to the great delight and relief of the home fans.
Mossleyu continued to dominate and eventually grabbed a second in the 77th minute when substitute Liam Ellis sent Mike Fish scurrying down the left wing and played a low slightly scuffed cross back to Ellis who fired into the bottom right corner of the net from 15 yards.
Fellow sub Danny McLaughlin had a great chance to make it three but he was off target.
As the game went into added time Widnes sub Jamie Rainford pulled a goal back with an angled drive and there was to be added drama in the last of the five added minutes.
Mossley conceded a needless free kick just inside their own half. Ventre's set piece dipped and swerved forcing Turner to tip the ball against the bar. Fortunately the Lilywhites debutant was able to recover and pounce on the rebound.
The final whistle sounded moments later to signal a perfect start to the season for the rejuvenated Lilywhites.
Wiz
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