Northern Premier League Division 1
Bishop Auckland 1 : Mossley
29 October, 2005
Report from Sunday Sun
Team: John Mohan, Michael Coulthard (Paul Collins 82mins), Craig Robson, Paul Crager, Luke Allen, Michael Oliver, Daniel Fox, Paul Campbell (Ben Jackson 66mins), Mark Sheeran, Damon Robson, Daniel Newby
Bishops met Mossley for the first time in 13 years for a vital game in both teams' seasons. Brian Healy introduced new goalkeeper - the fourth of the season - and also brought in defender Luke Allen, midfielder Daniel Fox and on the bench Paul Collins returned to the club.
Both sides had good chances thwarted by good goalkeeping in the first ten minutes. First a powerful header from a Bishops corner was saved with a desparate save. Then minutes later Mohan produced a fine diving save to tip over a Mossley shot destined for the top corner.
On 27 minutes Sheeran was alert to a mistake in the Mossley defence and a strong run ended with a fierce low shot which was wall saved.
Mossley hit the top of Bishops crossbar with a deep cross on 30 minutes but Bishops were in the ascendancy and on 31 minutes Sheeran was unlucky to have a goal disallowed for an innocuous foul which preceeded a volley which flashed into the net.
On 35 minutes Bishops were in the lead when a cross was flicked by Newby to the far post for Campbell to pounce for his third goal in three games.
Craig Robson was booked on 39 minutes and just on half time Bishops almost doubled the lead when a corner was cleared as far as Fox whose shot made its way through the crowded box but just wide of the post with the 'keeper rooted to the spot.
Mossley created the first chance on the second half and Bishops were lucky to find the Mossley forwards inaccurate with their shooting. Newby teed up a shot for himself on 55 minutes but shot wide. Fox was almost in on 56 minutes but his lob cleared the bar from a tight angle.
Mossley applied significant pressure as the half wore on and the equaliser came from a corner 74 minutes. The initial cross was deflected onto the post and the rebound fell fortuitously for Shiel to stab home from close range.
Disaster struck immediately when Pilkington stabbed the ball past Mohan on 76 minutes and the ball bobbled in off the inside of the post.
Mossley dominated the late exchanges with Giggs hitting the underside of the Bishops bar on 78 minutes and on 84 minutes Giggs's close range shot was spectacularly saved by Mohan.
The performance gives great heart for the remainder of the season, as Mossley looked the strongest opposition to have visited the Brewery Field this season but the result leaves Bishops rooted to the bottom of the table.