Mossley 3 - 3 FC Halifax Town
By Katie Vass at Hurst Cross, Ashton
Tuesday, 2nd February 2010
FC Halifax Town had to make do with a point after Mossley equalized in injury time on a bitterly cold night in Greater Manchester.
The Shaymen started well, with Danny Lowe playing a brilliant one-two with Richard Marshall before sliding the ball into an empty net after 10 minutes. Mossley soon hit back as Chris McDonagh got on the end of a Mike Fish cross to equalize a mere three minutes later.
The first half saw some interesting refereeing decisions - James Dean received a dubious yellow card for a 50-50 tackle on Matt Russell - and by the end of the half Mossley had taken the lead amid confusion and controversy.
Steve Settle appeared to be returning from an offside position when he received a through ball. As Settle placed the ball past Jonathan Hedge, the entire Town defence had stopped in reaction to the assistant's raised flag, only for the linesman to lower it moments later.Players from both teams surrounded the officials, and it became clear that the referee overruled his assistant's decision and allowed the goal to stand.
The second half began with both sides missing opportunities and the game looked open for either to take it on and win. A refreshed Scott Phelan returned to try and ensure some points for Town after a long break due to suspension. Despite plenty of attacking football, Town seemed to be lacking the finishing touch, but James Dean stepped up - as he has done many times this season - and gave Town the goal they needed in the 75thminute.
Town continued to attack, but were often suckered by a well-worked Mossley offiside trap. Richard Marshall came closest to scoring from open play, with a curling shit just passing the post as the game neared its conclusion. Their domination and perseverance was eventually rewarded, as Marshall was bought down in the box, before dusting himself off to score the spot kick.
With the Shaymen 3-2 up and the game deep in injury time, it looked like it was all over, but a late corner resulted in a goal mouth scramble, and Andy Watson somehow poked the ball past Hedge to secure a point for the home side.
Town travel to West Yorkshire rivals Wakefield FC this Saturday hoping to regain the winning formula and catch Lancaster at the top of the league.
