Burscough 0-0 Mossley

Burscough suffered a 3-0 defeat at the hands Mossley earlier in the season but it wasn't to be the case at Victoria Park on Saturday, as they earned a credible 0-0 draw against the Lilywhites and heaped pressure on their opponents as they push for promotion, writes Adam Saint.

The visitors nearly had the lead in the opening seconds of the game only for striker Young to take a poor touch enabling Horn to deal with the danger. At the other end Linnets winger Louis Mayers couldn't convert Joe Camozzi's well timed cross.

After the frantic start the game fizzed out into a chess match, both teams sizing one another up in the midfield and creating few clear-cut opportunities in front of goal.

Controversy came on the half hour mark when Linnets stopper Tim Horn appeared to carry the ball over his own line when catching a tricky cross. However the linesman was not placed well and therefore saw no problem. The Greens broke away immediately but Niall Cummins' effort was saved by the Mossley goalkeeper.

The second half had more controversy when Joe Camozzi brought down Denham on the edge of the box. The Mossley players and fans were incensed with the referee's decision to award a free-kick rather than a spot kick. The set piece was dealt with by the Burscough defence and perhaps at this point the home side felt the luck was with them.

The game opened up as it reached its closing stages with both teams seeking a late winner. Niall Cummins had a fierce shot saved by Saunders and a glancing header by Dave Roberts went wide of the mark as Brookfield crossed the ball across the face of the goal.

The final chance of the game went to Mossley but Broadbent made a hash of the through ball and Horn did enough to put off the Lilywhites striker.

Manager Derek Goulding will be happy with the point but will be more impressed that his team earned a clean sheet against one of the top sides in the division.

Burscough are back in action on Friday night when they travel to Wakefield, kick off 7.45pm.

Burscough team: Horn, Camozzi (Thompson), Quirk, P. Williams, D. Roberts, Tyson (C), C. Roberts (Burey), Lynch, Cummins, J. Williams (Brookfield), Mayers.

Unused subs: Wilkinson (GK)

Star man: Tim Horn