COLWYN Bay manager Craig Hogg took the blame for his side’s 3-2 defeat at Mossley.

The Seagulls were unable to claim a point after fighting back from tow-down in the first period, and Evo-Stik Northern Premier League Division One West side no find themselves in 14th spot ahead of their FA Trophy test at Ossett United on Saturday (3pm).

Hogg, said: "I take responsibility for that loss and the players should take no blame at all.

"I set the team up in a certain way, but it was clear in those opening 15 minutes it hadn't worked. I'm disappointed with the result, but not with the performance in the slightest. The players gave absolutely everything again for the shirt and we could have taken something from the game.

“Some of our play second half was exceptional and it is probably the quietest I've been in the dugout since I took the job because the players go on with the job and did everything I asked of them.

"I feel there is a tidal change on the horizon and that we aren't far away from turning the corner. It is coming and we just have to stick together and believe in what we are doing."

The visitors were made to pay for an indifferent start and gave themselves a mountain to climb thanks to early strikes from Keenan Quansah and Mason Duffy, which resulted in Hogg switching things round with the introduction of assistant boss and former Bay captain Neil Coverley at the heart of the defence.

This tightened things up considerably and the away side began to impose themselves on proceedings, with James Barrigan reducing the deficit with his sixth of the season after 18 minutes.

They were caught with a sucker punch on the stroke of half time when Aaron Dwyer netted a far post header past Paddy Rutter, and despite a Josh Brizell penalty after the break and some sustained pressure in the closing stages, Bay were unable to get back on level terms.