Cables went down by the only goal of the game to Mossley at Hope Street in a game played in atrocious conditions. Heavy rain had saturated the pitch prior to kick off, and further rain throughout the game worsened the conditions as the game progressed.

Both sides made valiant attempts to master the conditions which made ball control and passing difficult.

It was a much changed Cables team from the one which took to the field against Cammell Lairds on New Years Day with manager Dave Powell making six changes. Mottram, Balazs, Kennedy, Jarrett, Doran and Shirley replacing Culkin, Cairns, Ryan, Murphy, Kusaloka and Pinto Vieira.

Cables were soon on the attack and could have taken the lead on 7 minutes.

Shirley received the ball from a short corner taken by McCarthy and cutting inside from the left he unleashed a fine shot which was bound for the top corner only for Thewlis to tip the ball over the bar for a fine save. Jarrett then played a long ball over the Mossley defence for McCarthy and Gilroy with Gilroy shooting wide of the post.

Another long ball by Gilroy for McCarthy was cut out by the Mossley defence.

McGrath under pressure form Rob Doran under hit a back pass to Thewlis who managed to win the race for the ball and put it out of play for a throw in.

Shirley then went on a fine run across the pitch passing to Doran whose low hard cross was cleared by the Mossley defence. Mossley made an early substitution when Anderson retired injured to be replaced by Dean.

Cables persisted in the direct route to goal and another pass form Shirley beat the offside trap putting McCarthy through only for Thewlis to clear the danger.

Against the run of play, Mossley took the lead on 35 minutes. Lewis Nightingale created the opportunity with some fine play before passing to Pratt who rounded Mottram and slotted the ball into an empty net.

Halftime came and the players had a slightly longer break, whilst the Cables ground staff got to work clearing the excess rain off the pitch.

The second half began with Cables on the attack, winning a corner when Kennedy’s shot was deflected wide of the post. McCarthy came close to equalising on 52 minutes when after receiving the ball from Bannister he turned and fired a shot towards the near post which hit the side netting.

Mossley were then awarded a free kick for a foul on Pratt by Coyle. The free kick taken by Nightingale who was proving to be Mossley’s most effective player was headed out for a corner. From the corner taken by Nightingale Bennett’s cross was cleared for another corner.

Cables made their first substitution on 58 minutes Robinson replacing Gilroy. Phil Bannister played the ball insde for McCarthy on 64 minutes who chested the ball down and fired just past the near post.

Mossley then caught Cables on the break after 69 minutes with Nightingale on the left side whose low cross into the box was met by Bennett forcing Mottram into a fine reflex save at the near post.

Cables were awarded a free kick when McGrath handle the ball on the edge of the box. The free kick taken by Doran was driven straight at the Mossley wall and cleared.

Mossley then got a free kick when Coyle was adjudged to have fouled Pratt.

The free kick taken by Nightingale was blocked by the Cables wall, only for Nightingale to regain possession and shoot wide.

Cables never gave up the ghost and McCarthy crossed from the right for McCulloch whose header was saved at the foot of the post by Thewlis.

Cables made their second change Pinto-Vieira replacing Shirley. McCarthy had another effort pushed over the bar by Thewlis as Cables surged forward in search of an equaliser. McCarthy then had a shot saved by Thewlis which was eventually cleared by the Mossley defence for a corner.

Prescot Cables: Mottram, Balazs, Kennedy, Jarrett, Coyle, Gilroy, McCulloch, Bannister, Doran, McCarthy, Shirley. Substitutes: Haynes, Cairns, Pinto-Vieira, Robinson, Reid.

Mossley: Thewlis, Wilkinson, Drummond, McGrath, Anderson, Gallanders, Blair, Nightingale, Pratt, Bennett, McDonnell.

Substitutes: Dean, Matthews, Yarwood, McCarthy, Ofarni.