Andrews and Bennett on target in derby day draw

Old Boys’ manager Michael Jamison classed it as ‘a game of two halves’.

“We were the dominant team in the first-half, and they were better in the second, where I think they were just that bit fitter than us on a pitch that was cutting up. Mossley, to be fair, created more chances than we did when they were on top, and our goalkeeper, Scott Hamilton, pulled off some fine saves; so we can’t be too disappointed with a point.”

Opposite number Campbell Graham agreed: “We had the better chances, but I don’t think we did enough to win the game; a draw was a fair result. The conditions were heavy but they were the same for both teams. We knew 18th had lost a few players, but we were poor, we just didn’t get going at all. We never got the ball down and played, and to be fair to 18th, they worked hard and I thought they deserved a point.”

The Monkstown side held the early edge but their best offering came when Campbell Neill stormed through one-on-one with Dwayne Jenkins, only to be forced wide and see his effort cleared.

After a blank first session it looked as though Mossley were going to make 18th pay but keeper Scott Hamilton kept the visitors, depriving Colin Andrews and Nicky Agnew.

Mossley had a plausible penalty appeal turned down when substitute Philip Moore slid into Gareth McKinney, but play was allowed to continue.

Minutes later Agnew, who appeared to be offside, ran through and squaring the ball for Andrews to find the bottom corner.

The Old Boys evened things up 10 minutes from time with Simon Bennett converting a penalty after the referee adjudged Kyle Lynas to have been fouled.

Mossley: Jenkins – McAllister, Barton, Harper – J McKinney, G McKinney, Fettis, Crowe, McCord – Andrews, Agnew. Sub not used: O’Connor, C Graham.

18th N’abbey: Hamilton – Letson (P Moore), Cole, Craig, Campbell – Bennett, Kelly, Sellars – D Knell, Neill (K Lynas), McAllister. Subs not used: Elliott.