RHYL FC continued their pre-season fixtures with a narrow 1-0 home loss at the hands of Mossley.

The Lilywhites took the field at the Educate Resource Stadium for the first time this term on Saturday during what was a very competitive affair against their Evo-Stik Northern Premier League opponents, who hail from east Manchester and recently acquired the services of striker Astley Mullholland from Colwyn Bay.

An even start to the contest saw the visitors create the first real chance of note, but Lilies’ stopper Jonathan Hill-Dunt did well to divert a low effort to safety during the opening exchanges.

The home side gradually grew into the game as the first period progressed, with striker Asa Hamilton spurning their best opportunity when he was put through on goal, taking on the keeper before the danger was averted.

A breakthrough in the friendly fixture arrived on 31 minutes and it was the away side that drew first blood, with Will Azonzo turning in a close-range strike past Hill-Dunt after latching on to a pinpoint delivery.

After the break saw striker Sam Molyneux presented with a chance to level for the hosts, but his attempt was deflected into the side netting, with recent signing from Airbus Broughton Leo Riley also going close after another good spell of possession from Eddie Maurice-Jones’ side.

The introduction of Tommy Creamer midway through the half added an extra dimension to the Lilies’ creativity, but they were unable to salvage an equaliser as Reece Fairhurst’s attempts to steer in a cross late on thwarted by Mossley goalkeeper Andrew Keogh.

This proved to be the final chance from a Lilies’ perspective, and the squad continue their preparations ahead of the new FAW Tier 2 North League campaign this Saturday with a home tie against Whitchurch Alport.