The reserves resumed their Lancashire League program against Colne at a snow covered XLCR Stadium on a bitter cold night.

Mossley who gave debuts to veteran Johnny Smith signed from Chorley and teenager Lee Constantine, struggled to get a foothold in the game in the first 15 minutes, with the home side dictating most of the play. When Mossley finally settled, Antony Dorney, Constantine then Jordon Cuff were guilty of wasting good chances with only the Colne keeper James Kenyon to beat.

Mossley finally broke the dead lock on 24 minutes, when an excellent through ball by Constantine released Dorney who made no mistake in despatching the ball into the goal with his left foot. From the restart Mossley began to dominate the home team and created several opportunities but were unable to increase their lead.

On the 30 minute mark Mossley suffered a set back when centre back Danny Higgins was forced to leave the pitch with a groin injury.

The all ginger strike force of Dorney, Constantine and Joe Heap began to cause the Colne defence all manor of problems with their pace and movement but on 43 minutes Dorney went down injured, following a clash with the Colne keeper Kenyon and centre back Nathan Gibson.

The second half was barely 5 minutes old when Mossley had to make another enforced substitution, with Dorney unable to continue. This situation got worse 2 minuets later when Joe Heap was replaced as a precautionary measure with a muscle strain. The consequent reshuffle following the changes saw Mossley lose their shape and struggle to impose themselves on the home team, with the majority of the game being fought out in the midfield area of the pitch.

With both teams having an equal share of possession neither side created any clear cut chances but on 64 minutes a great move down Mossley's left flank saw a great cross field ball by Constantine pick out Jordon Cuff on the right who played a wonderful ball into the path of Connor Hampson who had made a surging run into the box but he fired wide from 10 yards.

Colne, who had not had a shot on target until this point of the match, were awarded a free kick on the edge of the penalty area on 75 minute. From the resulting free kick the wall held firm but the ball dropped kindly to Daniel Howarth who equalised for the home side.

With 10 minuets remaining Cuff needed treatment for cramp and was forced to leave the pitch for treatment. When he returned with 2 minutes remaining, he immediately latched onto a loose ball on the edge of the Colne area to smash home a winner for Mossley from just inside the box.

Not a pretty game this one with the pitch conditions and bitter cold not helping but what this young Mossley side showed is that they can dig in and grind out results if they have to.

Report by Rob Byrne