MICHAEL Fish claimed two more goals as Mossley progressed into the FA Cup’s second qualifying round with victory at Flixton.

The home side had the two best opportunities early on with a notable effort from Tom Murphy flashing across goal after Kelly had set him up.

The lead came Mossley’s way after 16 minutes when Dignan got away from his marker to set up Ryan Cooke who shot past the keeper with some ease.

Lee Blackshawe outpaced the Flixton defence several times and should have added to the lead, but his attempt to loft the keeper did not have enough height on it.

Soon afterwards the Lilywhites were awarded a penalty for handball which was saved by Joe Perry when Fish had struck it to his right but at a comfortable height.

Although Flixton were not unhappy at half-time, they found themselves in further trouble after the break when Dignan skipped past an attempted trip by a defender and squared it to Fish who scored.

Fish shot wide before his second and Mossley’s third goal came in comical circumstances when Perry was sold short with a backpass and Fish seized on a rebound and scored from a tight angle.

Danny Egan then headed in Mossley’s fourth after a deep cross from Wood and that should have been that but Rick Hodkin reduced the arrears, converting a free kick at the far post.

This sparked a mini-revival from Flixton in the closing minutes but the damage had already been done.

While Chris Willcock’s men only fired on three cylinders, they had enough in the tank to overcome their opponents.

Attendance: 123

Graham Mather

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