An end to end opening saw both sides with presentable chances but Mossley looked the more dangerous thereafter. Ben Halfacre twice going close from Ben Richardson crosses.
Against the run of play Blues took a 20th minute lead. A mis-placed pass allowed Niall Maguire to find Tim Grice in space and the Leek number 9 calmly picked his spot before popping the ball past Mossley keeper Purdham.
Rattled but unbowed Mossley hit back quickly as Szymon Czubik came close with a header. Godwin Abadaki, almost capitalised on a keeper fumble and good work by Halfacre as Mossley kept up the pressure but without any reward.
Andy Keogh and Aaron Dwyer were both constantly probing and a great ball from Keogh saw Halfacre’s effort turned against the bar and away to safety. Czubik again went close and Aaron Dwyer’s fierce free kick flew a whisker wide.
Mossley had the first chance of the second half as Keogh went close from Dwyer’s corner but it was the Blues who again struck with only their second chance of the game on 50 minutes when Jordan Johnson was able to open a gap to shoot past Purdham.
The home side employed a more direct approach allowing Jack Sanders and Billy Sass-Davies to dominate proceedings and Nlues had the better chances thereafter as Purdham twice had to make smart saves from Rob Stevenson.
Mossley huffed and puffed through to the end but Leek comfortably held out for an impressively managed tactical victory.
# | Team | Pl | Pts |
1. | Atherton Collieries | 38 | 82 |
2. | Radcliffe FC | 38 | 75 |
3. | Leek Town | 38 | 74 |
4. | Colne | 38 | 73 |
5. | Ramsbottom United | 38 | 72 |
6. | Runcorn Linnets | 38 | 72 |
7. | Prescot Cables | 38 | 69 |