Four-goal Mossley have too much for struggling Kilroot

It was Rec’s sixth successive defeat and the mood hardly improved with news that second-bottom Iveagh United won 3-2 at Dromore Amateurs.

Saturday’s result, though, will be welcomed in Monkstown where 18th Newtownabbey Old Boys, who are just two games from home, are now safe from relegation - even if Kilroot win all four remaining matches.

“We just can’t get the wee rub of the green to get things started,” said Rec supremo Mervyn Smyth.

“It didn’t help that they were without key players Darren McKinty, Simon Hamilton, John Mathers and Andy Hall.”

Mossley finish their season at home to Newington Rangers next Saturday and manager Garry Campbell said: “We’d like to keep the run going. Kilroot weren’t that bad and if they had taken their chances in a couple of one-on-ones, it could have been awkward enough.

“We were wary of it because we’ve struggled against some of the lower clubs all season. We plugged away and were the better side.

“We deserved it, though we underperformed and they were as we expected. I’m just glad to get it over with.”

Kilroot thought they had opened the scoring on 16 minutes when Rob Armstrong headed past keeper Dwayne Jenkins only for the referee rule it out for a foul.

Mossley showed the way on 24 minutes with Kyle Harper nodding home and Kilroot responded on 51 minutes when Lee Steele slotted the ball past Jenkins.

The visitors regained their lead on 66 minutes with Nicky Agnew giving the keeper no chance.

Ben Fletcher then made his mark, giving Mossley some precious breathing space.

Lee Graham, who scored four when the sides last met at the Glade in October, came off the bench to make it four.

Kilroot had the final say when Mossley defender Trevor Young headed a Maxwell cross into his own net four minutes from time.