Halford rues mistakes as Mossley lose ground

FOOTBALL:

MOSSLEY’S title hopes suffered a potentially fatal blow in Evo-Stik League Division One North as they went down 2-1 at Skelmersdale United.

The result sent the hosts to the top of the table at the Lilywhites' expense.

Skelmersdale now sit a point clear - with six games in hand.

Gary Burnett gave the home outfit a psychological edge, his 32nd-minute goal the difference between the two sides at the half-time interval.

United counter-attacked swiftly from a Mossley corner and drew first blood.

Recalled to the side after being rested for the 2-2 draw with Salford City, Jay Gorton restored parity with 20 minutes of the contest remaining with a neat finish.

It was the least the away side deserved for a dominant display in the second half. But just as Mossley looked set to head home with a point, it was cruelly taken away. Substitute Mike Phenix netted the winner with just 60 seconds left — only four minutes after climbing off the bench.

Phenix tapped home after Mossley goalkeeper Russell Saunders parried a cross-shot into his path.

The disappointing outcome leaves Halford and his men relying on a serious Skelmersdale collapse if they are to have any chance of regaining the initiative in the title race.



OLDHAM Boro dropped down to sixth place in Vodkat North-West Counties League Division One

following a 1-0 reverse at Nelson.

Chris Turner's strike in the 63rd minute shaded it for the hosts. It still leaves Tony Mills' side in a qualification position for next season's FA Cup.

The loss brought to a close a superb run of form, as it was only Boro's second defeat in 10 outings.



CHADDERTON remain ninth in NWCL Division One despite losing 3-1 at Leek CSOB.

Daniel Cope struck in the seventh minute for the home team, and Oliver Mellor was on target with a

quarter-of-an-hour gone.

John Rogers gave Paul Buckley's men hope with a 75th-minute effort, but with time running out Christopher Broad netted a third for Leek CSOB.