KEIGHLEY Oaks slipped to a 6-3 league defeat against Hemsworth.

Hemsworth took an early lead but Oaks replied in the 14th minute with a superb cross from right winger Leah Gilmore and a neat tap-in from midfielder Rebecca Granger.

The Hemsworth striker intercepted a throw and lobbed keeper Laura Thurling to restore their advantage and near misses from Melissa Houldsworth, Kirsty Delaney, Granger and Emma Firth saw Oaks go in at the break 2-1 down.

Hemsworth added a third in the 55th minute and then defended well to limit Oaks to a few half chances.

Substitute Lauren Adams didn't take long to make her presence known though, scoring in the 72nd minute with a screamer to get Oaks back in the game, only for their rivals to reply three minutes later with a breakaway goal.

The flurry of goals continued and, in the 77th minute, Houldsworth rounded several defenders and blasted the ball into the net to make it 4-3.

Again, the Oaks' celebrations didn't last long as Hemsworth hit back just a minute later with another breakaway and they put the game out of Oaks' reach with a sixth in the 81st minute when Houldsworth's attempted headed clearance hit the far post and crept over the line.

Keighley are home to Ossett Town this Sunday, kick-off 1pm.