Midweek football round-up: Statement victories for Mossley and Curzon

Mossley surged up to fifth in the NPL West table on Tuesday, inflicting a first defeat of the season onto visitors Prescot Cables, while in the NPL Premier, Curzon Ashton likewise ended Redcar Athletic's unbeaten run.

Ben Kershaw’s hat trick proved the difference on a dramatic night at Seel Park, as the Lilywhites claimed their fourth win on the bounce. 

The sides went into the break level, with Kershaw swiftly cancelling out Sharif Deans’ opener, before a frantic start to the second half ensued. 

Kershaw restored Mossley’s lead just seven minutes after the restart, before the visitors squandered the chance to level instantly from the spot, with Fin Madigan making himself the hero once again from 12 yards. 

Things got worse for the Merseysiders soon after, as substitute Jake Burton was given his marching orders just 13 minutes after entering the fray. 

With time running out, fellow substitute Olly Molloy looked to have had the final say, converting his spot kick with just seconds of the 90 remaining. 

But there was still time for some more late drama, with Kershaw sliding home the winner in the sixth minute of stoppage time to snatch the points. 

Elsewhere, The Nash put an end to the Steelmen’s unbeaten start with a statement 3-1 win at the Tameside Stadium. 

Alex Curran’s brace helped the hosts record their fifth league win on the bounce and climb up to seventh in the NPL Premier table. 

Adam Barton’s side made a lightning quick start to proceedings, with Curran breaking the deadlock after just two minutes, before Brad Holmes rose the highest to head home a second eight minutes later. 

The Nash then found themselves three goals to the good inside 37 minutes, with Curran keeping his cool from 12 yards to seal his brace after a late challenge on Ola Lawal. 

Danny Rowe’s second half strike did give the visitors temporary hope, but Curzon stood firm to see out an impressive victory. 

Elsewhere, their Ashton counterparts, Ashton United squandered a 2-0 lead to draw 2-2 with hosts Quorn.

Goals either side of half time from Justin Johnson and James Hardy put the Robins in control, but two late daggers saw the Methodists haul themselves level.

Johnson found the opener on 27 minutes, cutting onto his left foot and finding the top right corner, before Hardy's close range effort squirmed through the grasp of goalkeeper Jake Laban.

The hosts halved the deficit with 17 to play thanks to an unfortunate own goal, before Freddie Cook's bullet header added the finishing touch five minutes later.

Finally, Hyde United were unable to build on Saturday's win over Stockton, instead falling to a 1-0 defeat at high flyers Cleethorpes Town.

Billy Fewster's early strike was enough to see the hosts through, as the Tigers slipped to 13th in the table.