Trafford twice came from behind to record a superb 3-2 victory and move up into ninth place in the NPL West Division, just five points outside the play-off positions.
Karl Marginson’s side made a disastrous start when, after just five minutes, skipper Harry Norris was caught in possession thirty yards from his own goal by Eric Yahaya who advanced to slot the ball past Sam Booth. Despite Trafford protestations that Norris had been fouled, referee Wood allowed the goal to stand.
Mossley were on top with Teddy Lavelle and Bailey Marsden bossing the midfield but gradually Trafford worked their way into the game with Norris heading a free kick wide and Brad Byrne and Rio Clegg both just failing to hit the target from the edge of the penalty area.
In the 25th minute Rio Clegg struck a superb equaliser when he ghosted past two defenders on the right and struck a fine low drive that nestled inside the far corner.
Brad Byrne then saw his shot held by Finley Madigan before ex-Trafford midfielder Mason Fawns restored Mossley’s lead in the 32nd minute with a crisp volley past Booth following a cross from the left.
The remainder of the first half was dominated by both defences with Booth and Madigan rarely troubled and the sides went in at the interval with Mossley just about deserving their slender lead.
Two minutes into the second period Trafford full back Jerome Wright burst forward but fired high and wide and then Rio Clegg cut in from the right and saw his shot deflected wide. Cian Donohue swung the resultant corner over and was unfortunate to see the ball bounce on top of the crossbar before being hacked to safety.
A 25 yard drive by Lavelle was spectacularly saved at the foot of the post by Sam Booth before Trafford levelled once more on the hour mark, Rio Clegg flashing a cross over from the right that was flicked on by Kevin Spinelli and turned past his own goalkeeper by the unfortunate Mark Lees.
Mossley were still controlling the midfield areas but Trafford always looked dangerous on the break with Rio Clegg a constant threat with his skill, tenacity and pace and in the 66th minute he skipped through two challenges but fired weakly wide.
A speculative shot by Clegg in the 74th minute was tipped over by Madigan and from the resultant corner, Cian Donohue swung the ball beyond the back post where Kevin Spinelli arrived to volley home into the bottom corner.
Mossley poured forward in search of an equaliser but once again the Trafford defence were magnificent, restricting the home side to just one half-chance when Jack Marrow headed a left wing corner over the top.
And it was Trafford who created the best goal-scoring opportunity in the closing minutes Matty Lusakueno splitting the Mossley defence but seeing Brad Byrne’s thunderbolt tipped over by Madigan.
This victory keeps Trafford in contention for a play-off place and with thirteen games still remaining there is everything to play for.
However, there are no easy games in the NPL West Division and despite this coming Saturday’s opponents, City of Liverpool, occupying bottom place it is bound to be a testing examination for Marginson’s Men. Kick-off is 3 p.m. at the Away Day Care Shawe View Stadium.