BOTH sides struggled to come to terms with a strong wind but Laird still made a bright opening.

Two minutes from the start, Joe Evans saw his shot from 20 yards pass just over the bar, and five minutes later from a free kick, his effort again flew over.

On the quarter-hour, Parle sped down the left for Laird and crossed to Holt, whose effort was blocked.

The ball fell to Cairns whose overhead kick was just wide, leaving the Mossley keeper Saunders flat-footed.

On 27 minutes, a cross-field pass found Couch and Henders unmarked, allowing Henders to touch the ball home.

Within two minutes, however, Mossley were back on level terms when Dysart brought down Pratt in the box; Carroll scored from the penalty.

Both sides struggled from then on to create many chances and the game started to drift.

On the hour, Couch was caught in possession and Carroll’s effort was pushed wide by Langley.

Laird's best attempt in the second period came from a Joe Evans shot from distance that went wide of the post, while in the final minute Gough set up Bennett for Mossley, but his shot was straight at the keeper.