Midweek football round-up: Mossley stun Bury

Mossley stunned NPL West title hopefuls Bury on Tuesday night, condemning The Shakers to a 2-1 defeat in front of over 1000 Seel Park spectators. 

The Lilywhites took the lead early on after Shakers stopper Mitch Allen was caught out by the quick thinking of Mason Fawns, whose looping volley found its way in with 20 minutes on the clock. 

Hosts Mossley then needed a moment of brilliance from their goalkeeper to preserve the lead going into the break, with Fin Madigan producing a flying save to deny Rustam Stepans an equaliser. 

Alex Craddock’s side then doubled their lead early in the second half when a slip from Allen provided Obua Mugalula with a chance he simply couldn’t miss, with the winger rolling into the empty net to put his side in control. 

Visitors Bury did manage to halve the deficit through Louis Isherwood’s header, but a resolute defensive display saw The Lilywhites hold out and record a statement victory. 

“To a man I thought we were superb,” Craddock told the Reporter following the win. 

“There’s been times this season where we’ve had leads and let teams claw their way back into the game through poor game management, but we didn’t do that today. 

“There have been some special nights here over the past five years, and I’ve no doubt this will rank really high.” 

Elsewhere, Hyde United squandered a 2-0 lead to draw with NPL Premier strugglers Stocksbridge Park Steels, which saw them slip to 15th in the table. 

The Tigers found themselves two up at half time thanks to strikes from Tom Pratt and Taylor McMahon, but a second half fightback from the visitors saw the points shared. 

James Morris pulled one back for Steels just after the break before Kurtis Turner completed the comeback 20 minutes from time. 

The sides will meet again at Ewen Fields this weekend as the pair face off once again in the FA Trophy. 

Finally, Glossop North End's 1-0 defeat at Ramsbottom - their sixth in as many games - was the final straw for manager Richard Brodie, with the club parting ways with the 38-year-old on Wednesday afternoon.

The Hillmen were just minutes away from earning an impressive point away to title the title chasers, only for Matthew Dudley to steal all three points with an 87th minute overhead kick.