NORTH WEST COUNTIES LEAGUE: Silsden 1 Nelson 0

SILSDEN got the only goal of the game in the final minute of normal time to pip derby rivals Nelson.

The Cobbydalers forced a corner in this Premier Division clash against their high-flying neighbours and new signing Charles Collinge's flag-kick was met by a towering Kev Ryan header.

But that wasn't the end of the drama for the bumper crowd of 262 as, in the second of three added minutes, a long ball forward forced debutant Silsden keeper Joe Taylor to throw his body at the ball and the on-rushing Andrew Bell outside the area.

Referee Mark Powell whistled, with the visiting fans baying for a red card for handball. However, Taylor was ruled to have accidentally made contact with the attacker after blocking the ball.

Silsden's defensive wall then did its job from the free-kick.

After a difficult week due to suspensions and unavailability, Silsden gave a debut to teenager Taylor, on loan from Fleetwood Town, and midfielder Collinge from Clitheroe.

Fred Midgley – the fourth player to be promoted from the development side recently – started up front alongside Nicky McNally, having made his debut in midweek off the bench. Bringing experience were full back Andy Lee and former club captain James Nettleton.

Nelson settled into their passing game and McNally was booked in the 11th minute for a rash challenge, then being substituted by Will Storrie due to a tight hamstring.

In the 22nd minute, Elliot Firth unintentionally chipped his keeper, Taylor playing the ball to safety, although Nelson claimed it had gone over Silsden's line.

Just as Nelson were getting on top, Ryan's superb diagonal ball to outside the right-hand corner of Nelson's box found Storrie and Nelson keeper Ben Woodward tussling for it, the ball striking the keeper's hand, preventing it from running to Storrie with the goal open.

The punishment was surprisingly only a yellow card for Woodward, mirroring what happened later with Taylor.

Silsden started the second half on the front foot, and looked as though they'd open the scoring in the 63rd minute following good interplay down the right involving Storrie and Chris Wademan, but his first touch was heavy, giving Woodward the chance to block for a corner. The resulting flag-kick was headed just wide by Firth.

Nelson came close to breaking the deadlock in the 79th minute when lively substitute Reece Thomson found Bell, who clipped the ball over Taylor, but against the bar.

The Cobbydalers are at Padiham on Wednesday and visit Abbey Hey in the Men United League Cup second round on Saturday.

They also host current table-toppers Colne next Tuesday.

Silsden: Taylor, Nettleton, Lee, Mitchell (captain), Firth, Ryan, Hunter, Collinge, Midgley (Hollindrake 70), Wademan, McNally (Storrie 14). Subs not used: Garside, Howarth, Oyebanji.