Eastwood Town's sloping Coronation Park pitch provided the setting for a highly competitive UniBond League tussle and in the end a draw was probably the fairest result.
The first half was full blooded as both sides worked tirelessly to break each other down without reward.
Mossley gave debuts to new signings Ian Willcock and Melford Knight and both players had an impact on the game. Goalkeeper Willcock was called into action when he dived to his right to turn away an awkward effort by the dangerous Kelvin Mushambi as Mossley played up the slope. Mossley's best chance fell to Mario Daniel who pulled his shot across the face of goal after good work by Rhodri Giggs and Gavin Salmon had set him up. Barrie Hart hit an incredible thunderous drive off the underside of the bar from fully 40 yards while at the other end Mushambi thought he had scored when his shot went in off a post but the linesman's flag was already raised and the strike was ruled out.
Mossley took almost immediate advantage of the slope after the interval. Daniel's perseverance won a corner on the right and Hart's inch perfect corner kick was powerfully headed home by Melford Knight for a fine debut goal.
Eastwood came roaring back though. Yet another side with a simple direct game, Eastwood were constantly trying to turn Mossley's defenders with their early long ball approach, but the back four stood strong with Paul Challinor and Danny Meadowcroft keeping out the not inconsiderable threat of Mushambi and his strike partner Peter Knox. That was until the 65th minute when Eastwood won a corner on the right and central defender Lee Soar headed home from close range. Eastwood looked the more likely winner at this point but were unable to carve any further chances despite their highly combative pressure.
At the other end Adam Morning twice fired wide from good positions and Mossley had a great chance in the last minute when Rhodri Giggs rose on the end of Jordan Goodeve's right wing cross only to see Eastwood keeper Bryant tip his powerful header over the bar and the ensuing corner came to nought.