SILSDEN boss Danny Forrest believes his team's reaction to their cup exits shows there should be no cause for concern now their perfect league form has finally ended.

The Cobbydalers' run of 17 straight victories in the Hallmark Security League since the start of this season was finally ended when they lost 1-0 at Holker Old Boys.

It is thought that Silsden's record was the best start to the campaign throughout the whole of the national football pyramid.

And having responded with league wins following defeats in the FA Vase and the Macron Cup, Forrest believes his team have already shown their resilient streak.

"We've had a couple of setbacks in the cups and bounced back every time in the league," he said.

"It's just about keeping a cool head. There is certainly no panic. We'll just be mature about it and look to the next game – as we have all season."

Forrest continued: "It sounds like a cliché but we've just taken it one game at a time and never looked far into the future. We've won a game, enjoyed it, had a beer and then it's on to the next one.

"The talk in the changing room after games is about the next game, not dwelling too much on what we've done already, which is the beauty of it for me really."

Still 13 points clear at the top of Division One after closest rivals Litherland REMYCA and Prestwich Heys both lost, the Cobbydalers no doubt still remain a scalp.

But the end of their incredible winning streak might get rid of an albatross around their neck, with sides becoming increasingly eager to be the first to end the run and raising their game.

"The longer the run went on, the more teams wanted to be the first to beat us," admitted Forrest.

"But to be honest that happened for the last ten games so it was nothing new. With the hype around us, it was going to be big news when we dropped points."

With a home derby against Nelson tomorrow night, Forrest wants his team to carry on the habits which have already taken them so far.

He said: "We still put the work rate in, we still have that quality, we still have that style of play that we want to stick to that works for us.

"The tactics and tools we use are still what we've done ever since I've been in charge or, for the new players, ever since pre-season. Nothing changes."

When the season comes to a close, could Forrest be looking back at those cup defeats in a positive light, if their lack of distraction helps the club to promotion?

"If we get through to May and we've had success, then I'd say yes, the cup exits have been a blessing in disguise," he said.

"I wanted to do well in the cups and I want to win every game. I want to fill Silsden's trophy cabinet. Unfortunately that's not happening in the competitions we've gone out of and I'm quite disappointed with that.

"But I had an experience last season in the County Cup where we lost three players in one game and my squad was depleted.

"This year we've got a bit more strength in depth, but if you look at it like that, then it could be a blessing."