Mossley experienced the proverbial 'bad day at the office' as the Lilywhites went down to their first defeat of the season in front of a bumper Bank Holiday crowd at Seel Park on Monday afternoon.
Still decimated by injuries to key players, the Lilywhites struggled against a lively if unspectacular Ramsbottom United side who took the few chances that came their way.
Mossley struggled to make any headway in the first half as Ramsbottom dominated midfield, constantly able to switch play from wing to wing but without much of a clear goal threat.
The visitors did however, deservedly take the lead in the 27th minute when a Mossley attack broke down and after some head tennis in the Mossley box centre back Will Hall found himself unmarked to head home from close range.
The Lilywhites were further hit a few minutes later wjhen Antony Brown limped out of the action to be replaced by David Kuba-Kuba.
The home side created nothing to test the visitors keeper Tom Stewart in what had been a tame first half performance.
Mossley opened the second half with more purpose but just as they looked like they might finally get a foothold in the game they conceded a soft second goal just six minutes into the half. Latham made a good save to deny Hall’s header but the rebound dropped on the goal line and James Murphy seemed to use an arm as he bundled the ball over the line but the goal was given.
Mossley finally sprung to life and Sewa Marwah fired wide from a good position and Kuba-Kuba saw his angled drive well saved by Stewart.
Ben Richardson replaced Ben Lowe for his 200th Mossley appearance with ten minutes remaining but it was Ramsbottom who sealed the game with six minutes remaining when a cross from Mossley’s right was turned home at the near post by former Mossley player Jamie Rainford.
To rub further salt in Mossley’s wounds Andy Keogh then had a goal chalked off for a mysterious foul following Butterworth’s right wing corner.
The final action saw Stewart make a superb save to deny Jack Grundy’s acrobatic volley and it was Ramsbottom’s day as they leap-frogged Mossley in the League table.
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