Mossley's inexperience showed through tonight as the Lilywhites went down to a 3-1 Seel Park reversal to a big, physical and experienced Clitheroe side.
With Andy Keogh and Keaton Mulvey rested to the bench there were starts for Jordan Butterworth and Ethan kershaw but the Lilywhites young guns were out-gunned by a club who have recruited from higher divisions and look a good bet for a promotion challenge.
Clitheroe opened much the better and scored within three minutes when Kialan Adams fired home at the second attempt after his first effort was blocked.
Mossley had a strong penalty appeal waved away as Kershaw was clearly pushed in the back as he tried to get a cross in but it was the visitors who attacked at will as Mossley struggled for any kind of foothold in a mostly one sided first half.
A second goal was almost inevitable and so it proved on 24 minutes when Danny Wilkins pounced on a mistake by Kilner to double the visitors advantage.
Clitheroe almost got a third when veteran striker Craig Hobson saw his effort deflected onto the Mossley bar.
Keogh replaced Butterworth at the interval and Mossley's midfield immediately looked stronger for the change as interplay with Waller saw the winger shoot over the bar. Fitzgerald fired a free kick into the wall and Shenton was denied by Thompson's save as Mossley tried desperately to find a foothold.
Kieran Feeney replaced Hobson for the visitors and he proved to be just as dangerous as the former Stockport and Chester star he replaced when he extended the visitors lead on 78 minutes with a shot that took just enough of a deflection to guide it past Lovell and into the Mossley net.
Lovell was in action moments later when making a fine save to deny Feeney a second goal.
Danny McLaughlin had earlier replaced Shenton and he was rewarded for his efforts with a well taken consolation goal on 83 minutes but it was too little too late for Mossley who will need to show much improvement to take anything from the forthcoming run of difficult away fixtures.
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