Hallmark Security League Division One: Stockport Town 1 Silsden 3

SILSDEN got back to winning ways after their FA Vase defeat to claim their ninth victory out of nine in Division One.

Two goals in the last 16 minutes clinched the points against a Stockport Town side who have a good home record on their artificial surface, having only lost once there in the league prior to the Cobbydalers' visit.

Kyle Hancock and Dan Illingworth had returned to the squad but Mark Trueman, Joe Gaughan, Arley Barnes and Mateusz Tomas were unavailable as boss Danny Forrest came into the team.

Silsden had lost here 2-1 last season, conceding a late goal facing only ten men, and they struggled to come to terms with the high bounce in the first half.

However, after Nicky McNally had a low shot blocked in the opening minutes, Hancock gave the table toppers the lead in the second minute with a 30-yard free-kick.

However, the home side were soon level on ten minutes when Aaron Dwyer drove the ball in from the corner and, after two defenders failed to clear, Conor Downes was left with an easy tap-in.

The Lions were lifted and put Silsden under intense pressure as Ben Halfacre and Ezequiel Miranda went close.

Ruben Concalves and Miranda, on the right, gave Mark Everingham a torrid time but the Lions shots lacked power and direction. Jamie Hinchliffe was particularly profligate.

There were rare breaks by the Cobbydalers, McNally just curling a shot wide after he had reached a pass from Luke Rhodes and Hancock firing over but the hosts could have gone in with a lead at the interval had Dwyer converted even one of his three chances.

The half-time team talk focused on better defending. Illingworth began to dominate at the back and Josh Kaine was back to his best. Everingham got a grip of the threats down the Lions’ right and Silsden began to hold the upper hand.

Wademan shot over the bar and McNally sliced an effort wide. Forrest hit the post before having an effort cleared for a corner.

Silsden regained the lead following a Hancock corner on 74 minutes as Forrest ghosted through a packed penalty area to put the Cobbydalers in the driving seat.

The Lions were tamed as Niall Sultan shot wide before substitute Josh Eastwood settled the issue, latching onto a through ball from Hancock before rounding the keeper. He almost netted a second but shot early, not realising he had more time.

Coach Matt McNeil was delighted with the result. He said: “We struggled with the bounce in the first half and had to fight hard to deny the Lions a second or third goal.

"Town played a fast game, moving the ball up to the frontmen quickly and were obviously used to the bounce. We had a chat at half-time and sorted out one or two things. It was a very important result for us.”

The Cobbydalers now face back-to-back home games against AFC Blackpool on Tuesday and Cammel Laird on Saturday.

SILSDEN: Jakovlevs, Moses, Everingham, Kaine, Illingworth, Rhodes, Forrest (Chapman 74), Hancock, McNally (Eastwood 68), Wademan, Sultan.