SILSDEN’S lead at the summit of the Hallmark Security League Division One is down to just four points after they were held to a 0-0 draw at mid-table FC Oswestry Town.

Danny Forrest’s men created plenty of chances but also had keeper Callum Jakovlevs to thank for their point as the stopper maintained his concentration levels through quiet spells to ensure he was fully focused when he was called into action.

There were a couple of chances in the opening quarter of an hour for the Shropshire side but Jakovlevs was untroubled as a header from a corner and a later shot from the edge of the area both flew over the target.

Silsden had threatened even earlier as Niall Sultan had drifted by a couple of defenders before setting up Aidan Kirby whose 20-yard shot cleared the home goal.

Kirby’s second effort came midway through the first half and it brought a fine save from the Town keeper. Kyle Hancock was the next to go close as he fired a shot just over the bar and then saw a superb strike cannon off a post a minute later.

There was still time for Arley Barnes to fire a shot just wide across the face of goal and for the Oswestry keeper to pull out a top-drawer save to deny Chris Wademan before the first period ended.

Jakovlevs matched the Town stopper’s heroics with a first-class save when the home side had sprung the offside trap. They had another chance just after the hour mark but failed to hit the target.

The Cobbydalers finished strongly and should have taken all three points but could not find the elusive goal.

Luke Rhodes came closest when his header came back off the bar. That chance was provided by Aaron Davis who whipped in a later corner that was over on the half-volley by Arley Barnes from outside the area.

They could still have banked all three points as Kirby had a last-minute chance, but his shot kept climbing and went over the bar.

Nearest rivals Litherland REMCYA closed the gap on Silsden with a 1-0 win at AFC Blackpool.