Hallmark Security League Division One: Stockport Town 2 Silsden 1

THE COBBYDALERS conceded an 87th-minute winner in a game which they could have won had they converted their chances.

Silsden had equalised through new signing Dan Illingworth following the sending off of Tyler Devlin. The new signing from Brighouse Town was pushed up front as the Cobbydalers went for the points but the gamble back-fired as ten-man Stockport grabbed a winner through Darryl Grant.

Forrest, who had come on for Luke Taylor as Illingworth was pushed up top, said: “In retrospect I might have been better to leave the defence alone and either settle for a point or hope we might put one of our chances in.”

The Cobbydalers were without Matty Moses and Will Storrie but centre back Illingworth and midfielder Danny Bunch, also signed from Brighouse, were given their debuts.

On a day when all North West Counties Premier Division matches had fallen foul of the wet weather, Stockport had the advantage of a G4 surface.

Silsden dominated the opening exchanges as Illingworth headed down to Kyle Hancock in the third minute but he shot wide. Nicky McNally skied a chance before Hancock set up Bunch, who just missed the target. Trueman’s effort, from 25 yards, cleared the bar.

Keeper Daniel Whiting denied both Illingworth and Josh Kaine before Stockport delivered a sucker-punch on the 33rd minute. Captain Adam Stubbs rose unchallenged to head home at the far post.

Silsden's responded as McNally broke through from the right and shot powerfully but Whiting saved low to his left. Chris Wademan set up another chance with a low cross but McNally couldn’t get a touch. The half ended with Silsden keeper Callum Jakovlevs saving from Omar Mbowe and Ezequiel Miranda shooting over.

Kaine kept Silsden in the game at the start of the second half, clearing after a goalmouth scramble, before Taylor,blasted a cross over the bar from three yards at the back post after good interplay between McNally and Wademan.

Illingworth headed over before the Lions were reduced to ten men. Enter Forrest, who immediately put the ball in the visitors' net, only to be ruled offside.

The player/manager then laid the ball off to Illingworth, who levelled the score on 75 minutes.

Silsden went for the winner but the Mancunians also threatened. A superb run and cross from Aaron Dwyer only needed a touch from Cameron Darkwah. He failed but Stubbs almost notched Stockport’s second only to be denied by Jakovlevs. However, three minutes from time Grant followed up Stubbs' header to clinch victory.

Forrest admits he is still trying to strengthen his squad but is pleased to have a made the double signing from Brighouse.

On Illingworth, he said: "He was released by Bradford City at the age of 16. He's a presence and a bit of a leader, and he's got all the ingredients to be a good centre back at this level.

"I've tracked him for a while now after seeing him in various development squad games. There were a lot of clubs interested, including Glossop (Brighouse wouldn't let him go to a divisional rival) so it's a real coup in my opinion.”

“Danny Bunch is an attacking midfield player, whose previous clubs include Selby Town and Farsley Celtic. His spell at Selby a few years ago was arguably his most successful period in football where he scored over 15 goals from attacking midfield.

"This earned him a move to Farsley where it didn't quite work out and he has been at Brighouse Town ever since.”

On Saturday, the Cobbydalers host fourth-placed Alsager Town, who are hoping for an immediate return to the Premier Division.

SILSDEN: Jakovlevs, Holt, Vincent, Kaine, Illingworth, Trueman, Taylor (Forrest 66), Bunch, McNally, Wademan, Hancock.