MOSSLEY 2, CONGLETON TOWN 2
Mossley displayed great character and a never-say-die spirit as they twice battled from behind to draw against form-side Congleton Town.
The visitors, however, must still be wondering how they failed to make it five straight wins after a dramatic finish.
In the five minutes of added time, Lilywhites’ keeper Finlay Madigan made a brilliant double save and fourth-placed Congleton also had a goal controversially disallowed.
It was a game which was a slow burner to begin with but, once it ignited, the final half hour was pulsating and you did not want the final whistle to sound.
Mossley had given tickets to everyone who attended the previous week’s bonfire at Seel Park and, as a result, there was a crowd of 905 which was double the normal attendance.
The Lilywhites wanted to put on a show, especially for the newbies, with many already saying they will be back for Tuesday’s home match against City of Liverpool.
There is nothing worse than tempting in new fans and then disappointing as it looked to be the case in the early stages.
Mossley ought to have taken an early lead when Eric Yahaya broke clear on the left but, having done the hard work, shot weakly at keeper David Parton.
Congleton went ahead in the 19th minute when Kieran Garner-Knapper produced a great turn before sending a low shot into the bottom corner from the edge of the box.
That was effectively the end of the noteworthy action until midway through the second period when the match exploded to life.
Mossley equalised with a goal which followed a quality build-up. Yahaya released Jack Marrow with a peach of a pass and the right-back then delivered a fine cross which was converted by Luke Barlow.
Manager David Fish was mystified how centre-back Barlow suddenly appeared in the opposing penalty area as the goal came from open play.
Congleton were ahead again in the 76th minute when Garner-Knapper, who was at Kidsgrove Athletic and Runcorn Linnets, struck again.
Substitute Tom Hampton held up the ball well before laying it into the path of Garner-Knapper whose angled shot flew into the bottom far corner of the net.
Fish was disappointed to concede moments after they had a penalty appeal rejected.
Mossley made it 2-2 after 85 minutes with Marrow, a former Crewe Alexandra academy player, firing over another pinpoint centre for Yahaya to score with a bullet header.
That was by no means the end of the drama which continued.
Mossley would have taken the lead in the last minute but for a decent save by Parton to beat away a drive from Guilherme Baltazar.
Congleton then had their moments in stoppage time when Madigan made a super double save to keep out a shot which was deflected off Hampton’s knee and an even more stunning one to keep out Lewis Porter’s follow up as he looked certain to score.
The Bears thought they had snatched victory when Hampton’s headed goal from a corner was ruled out.
“We were disappointed with the decision as we had celebrated the goal and the referee didn’t blow his whistle for five or six seconds when he apparently saw something,” explained Congleton player-manager Richard Duffy.
The Bears’ manager described Garner-Knapper as a ‘real threat’ as he has hit top form following a challenging start following his summer arrival.
Duffy was satisfied with a point, though it could easily have been three, as his squad is injury-ravaged. He could only name four substitutes and two of them weren’t fit.
Fish added a draw was probably a fair result on the balance of play as his side lies 13th.
“We have played form teams in our last three matches and picked up four points. It was important not to lose,” he said.