A good run out this one for the reserves against a useful Denton team. Although Mossley enjoyed plenty of early possession, knocking the ball around in pretty patterns, they failed to give their forwards sufficient service to cause the home defence any real problems.

The home team went ahead on 30 mins when the Mossley defence failed to stop a cross coming in from the right, the Denton centre forward was fastest to react and he managed to climb above Alex Chesters to head the ball home from 6 yards.

The home team then began to apply pressure and on 40 mins went 2 goals ahead. A looping diagonal ball from the left hand side of the Mossley penalty area found a Denton attacker in acres of space and he managed to get a shot in unchallenged which beat Peter Collinge at the near post.

With Denton continuing to press home their advantage, Mossley were glad to hear the half time whistle and take the chance to regroup and make a few changes. On at right back came Alex Booth for Matthew Clarke.

Mossley began the second period in fine style and soon began to penetrate with some neat inter-passing at a pace and urgency that was lacking in the first period. Within five minutes of the restart Mossley had pulled a goal back through Nathan Neequaye who managed to poke the ball over the line from 3 yards.

Mossley were now dominating the game and deservedly equalised on 55 mins with a neat finish again from Neequaye firing in a low drive into the bottom right hand corner of the goal.

Although Mossley were now on top and dominating Collinge was called into action on two occasions to keep out the home team.

With it looking ever more likely that Mossley would take the lead Antony Dorney was dismissed by the referee on 65 mins for foul and abusive language aimed at the match official. This gave the advantage back to Denton and although Mossley defended manfully the home team's pressure resulted in a penalty in the 85th min which was duly dispatched into the top corner of the Mossley goal.

From the restart Denton increased the pressure on the Mossley goal and with 90 mins looming they added a fourth.

report by Rob Byrne