Campbell: Promotion hopes all but over

“It’s the final nail in the coffin, though that’s as good as we’ve played in two or three months and we still came away with nothing,” Campbell told the Times. “Two controversial decisions cost us two goals. To put so much effort into it and get nothing is harsh, but that’s taking nothing away from Shorts, they’re a good side.”

A scrambled effort from Kyle Crowe scrubbed out Shorts’ fifth-minute opener.

However, just before the break, Gareth McKinney was trailed down inside the box. With Mossley howling at the referee, Shorts took advantage and raced down the field to take a half-time lead.

In addition, Mossley weren’t impressed either with Shorts’ third, when they were expecting an offside whistle.

The visitors clawed one back when substitute Lee Graham, just back from injury, scored direct from a corner.

The two sides lock horns again on Saturday (January 24) at Mossley.