Mossley 3 St Helens Town 2 IN the realm of the First North Western Trains League challenge cup, an away tie at Mossley is just about as hard as it gets.

So Town had to be fully focussed and indeed they were. But, individual errors cost them dear and they were always chasing the game despite matching their hosts in all other aspects.

It was a particularly disappointing day for Town's Ian Dyson who was restored to the side on the ground where his stunning strike 10 weeks previously had earned his side a point in a league encounter. But he suffered an injury in the very first tackle and laboured on for 10 minutes before having to be withdrawn.

Mick Gilmore replaced him in a five man mid-field which stifled Mossley but also left Town lightweight up front as Laird ploughed a lone furrow with his best effort being a header over the bar from a Griffiths corner in the 24th minute.

Having done very little up front so far, Mossley went ahead in the 28th minute when Town cleared a poor free kick out to Griffiths on the left and there seemed no problem until he attempted a cross field pass deep in his own half which was intercepted and crossed for Pedro Brennan to head a simple goal with the St Helens defence stranded.

A minute later Laird had a great chance to head the equaliser but couldn't keep his effort down and things got markedly worse in the 40th minute when Mossley doubled their unmerited advantage. Gary Thomas was the scorer with a weak ground shot from 20 yards but keeper Hollywood allowed it to squirm under his body and Town now had a second half mountain to climb.

Walker and Pennington replaced Griffiths and Kirwan in a formation change and Town gave it a real go from the whistle with Gilmore and Hill each clearing the bar with long range shots. Walker, too, was prominent and he clipped the crossbar in the 56th minute as Town sought that vital lifeline which regrettably didn't come at an opportune time.

On 70 minutes a huge kick by Town keeper Hollywood sailed over the home back line and Pennington went clear only to be denied by keeper White's sprawl. At this point Town were living dangerously but pushing hard as White held Laird's crisp drive but with 10 minutes left they got their reward when Pennington got a great flick-on to provide Walker with an angled shot which White at full stretch could only parry, and Gary Laird followed in to score from 10 yards.

However, just as a glimmer of hope was showing, Mossley broke to add a third through sub Joe Connor who poked past the exposed Hollywood as he came out. Still, St Helens wouldn't yield and they set up a frantic last seven minutes with Pennington rifling narrowly over with a good volley but he was not to be denied and with four minutes left he popped up to bravely head home after Laird had flicked on following good work by Dooner. And in stoppage time Town's Phoenix had a goal bound blast blocked by Paver.

This Saturday Town return home again after a five-week absence to face rejuvenated Rossendale United, kick-off 3pm.

Winning lottery numbers 2,4,7,10,11,16. (No winners) This week £710 numbers 1-15.

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