The Rebels broke the deadlock on 18 minutes when midfielder Simon Cardon poked the ball in from six yards out after Ossett had failed to clear a Chris Baguley corner but the hosts turned the match around with two goals from David Sears and one from Shaun Kelsey in the second half.
This was the Rebels' sixth match in 12 days and Karl Marginson's side now have to face five league fixtures in ten days starting with a visit to Wakefield on Saturday.
The Rebels, however, remain in the play-off places and are still only eight points off leaders Skelmersdale with three games in hand.
United had the first chance on goal when on 15 minutes Stuart Rudd headed Liam Foster's superb right-wing cross just wide of the post, but Ossett quickly got back into the game.
They eventually pegged United back with an excellent curling shot from Sears on 51 minutes and secured all three points in stoppage time when Kelsey poked the ball past Sam Ashton in the United goal.
Do you think FC will last the pace? Have your say.
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JOHN STENSON (04/04/2008 at 12:13)
Desmond Gallagher (04/04/2008 at 12:33)
Whatever this season holds we have done damn well to get where we have. We will have to strengthn next year, a ball winner in midfield and another big striker to take the pressure of Rudd & Patterson. I hope Peter Thompson gets back soon because he looked good in his first couple of appearances but then got injured. FORZA FCUM
Drifter, Mancunia (05/04/2008 at 09:49)
Whilst the Reds have been dropping points, our rivals have taken full advantage. In the same period Bradford Park Avenue, Bamber Bridge and Curzon Ashton have all taken maximum points, only Skelmersdale have stuttered, drawing both against FC United and Osset Albion.
Margy conceded: "We can still mathematically win the league, you never know in football and we'll keep chasing that, but it is looking more likely now that we're going for a play off spot."
He has no questions over his players' commitment though and has instead been left to lament the fixture pile up which seems to have taken its toll over the past couple of weeks. He said: "It's very hard for the lads, they're not professionals and they have to work all day and then come to play at night. Had some of these games been at home it may have been easier for them, but to play five aways on the bounce in such a short space of time is very demanding and it is showing a little."
But Margy refused to be dejected about the situation. He added: "We have to look at getting back to winning ways as soon as possible. Thursday night was our first league defeat in 16 matches so we are capable of going on good runs. If we are going to be in the play off system then we need to go into that with momentum. I hope as many supporters as possible turn out for these last few games because they really do make the lads feel like they are playing with an extra man on their side."
FC United's next game is Wakefield away at Eastmoor Road on Saturday with kick-off 3pm. Get yourself to that football ground.
Free Red, Manchester (07/04/2008 at 10:42)
Goals from substitute Simon Carden and a rare left-foot strike from skipper Dave Chadwick were no answer to Wakefield’s counter attacking, which caught United napping twice in the second half and have affectively seen their title aspirations put to bed.
Playing a game virtually every other day towards the end of the season, FC made numerous changes in an attempt to freshen things up and rest legs. And the much-changed XI put in a decent performance against a side with a superb home record.
Jamie Baguley impressed in the centre of midfield, pulling the strings and spreading the ball about at will, but the reds lacked a true cutting edge with Rory Patterson and Stuart Rudd restricted to warming the bench.
Assistant manager Phil Power toiled away up front, but was largely ineffectual against a well-organised Yorkshire backline.
James Holden sat in alongside Baguley and also put in a decent display and with Jerome Wright back to his best marauding down the left, there were positive signs.
Rob Nugent headed past the post following a Wright corner and Dave Swarbrick, playing wide right, fired a decent chance high over the bar into someone’s back garden.
Soon after, Wakefield broke and scored a fortuitous opener. Sam Ashton failed to gather a speculative shot from Chris Howarth and in trying to clear the ball Chadwick fired it against Bradley Howard and it dribbled over the line.
Baguley was determined to score the goal that his first half display merited but could only hit the keeper with a shot from 12 yards and moments later his left volley again had the neighbours worried as it arrowed high and wide. Wakefield were pleased to go in 1-0.
Early into the second period Kyle Harrop, in at right back after impressing for the reserves this season, sent over a cross, which Robinson failed to connect with. Holden then cleared off the line miraculously to keep the reds in the game.
In an attempt to salvage something from the match Margy introduced Patterson to proceedings.
He immediately tried his luck with a shot from 25 yards, which cut the daisies in the long grass on its way to being comfortably collected by the Wakey keeper.
The home side then broke and extended their lead through a well-taken goal by Ferguson. Margy’s response was to bring Simon Carden off the bench, for the knackered Baguley, and the move paid almost immediate dividends.
A Power header from a Patterson cross was saved, but Carden was on hand to scramble it home. Game on.
Rudd came on and headed over after a great cross from Wright. The big Wiganer should have done better. Then strike partner Patterson appeared to be felled from behind, but the referee waved play on and Wakey flew down the other end, but somehow Howarth missed a sitter.
Rudd then had two chances in quick succession, the latter hitting the foot of the post, before the hosts broke again to seal the points.
It was a copybook break away, well finished by substitute Marchant.
It appeared all over for the reds, but Chadwick gave them brief hope with an injury time strike after a Wright free-kick had caused havoc in the box. It wasn’t enough though, as FC now face an up hill battle to stay in touch with the league leaders. Holding on to a play-off place may be a more realistic ambition after this result. If the players can stay awake long enough.
Elsewhere, Curzon Ashton beat Bradford Park Avenue to go top and Ossett Albion won to go level on points with FC in the final play-off place in fifth.
United are 11 points behind the leaders with just two games in hand and are now looking over their shoulder at Ossett’s impressive charge up the table. The reds have two games in hand on them and will need to win those to remain in the play-off places. Otherwise the season will be asleep before April ends.
Free Red, Manchester (07/04/2008 at 10:42)
Travel: By Car - M62 to junction 26. Join M606 leave at second junction. At the roundabout take 2nd exit (A6036 signposted Halifax) and pass Odsal Stadium on the left hand side. At next roundabout take the 3rd exit (A6036 Halifax, Horsfall Stadium is signposted). After approximately one mile turn left down Cemetery Road immediately before the Kings Head Public House. Ground is 150 yards on the left.
By Train - The train takes approximately 1 hour 9 minutes from Victoria to Bradford Interchange followed by a 20 minute bus ride (# 509, 681, 613) or a 10 minute taxi ride. Outbound: 16:24 16:54 17:18 17:49. Return: 21:35 22:00 22:04 23:00
paul hudspith (09/04/2008 at 18:17)
Drifter, Mancunia (10/04/2008 at 15:41)
FC United fans ARE United fans. As the saying goes 'Love United, Hate Glazer'. The clue is in the 'Love United' bit. I'll let you work out the rest for yourself.