STEETON belied their underdog status to record a fine 3-1 win over neighbours Silsden at Marley in the West Riding County Cup first round last night.

A poor run of form has seen Steeton plunge down the North West Counties Football League First Division North, and they are just two points above the drop zone, having lost six of their first nine.

Conversely, Silsden are sitting comfortably in mid-table in the Northern Counties East League Premier Division, one tier higher than the Chevrons.

But they did suffer a surprise NCEL League Cup defeat at lower-league Ollerton Town last Wednesday, and were thumped 3-0 at high-flying Emley on Saturday.

And their mini-slump continued at the hands of Roy Mason's side in the County Cup last night, with the hosts more than worthy of their victory.

Steeton went in front just three minutes, when Andy Briggs fired home the rebound after Alistair Morgan's header had been cleared off the line following a corner.

It was not the hardest goal he'll ever score, but it was a special moment for Briggs, with the strike being his hundredth in Steeton colours.

The Chevrons almost doubled their lead moments later, but Josh McKiernon smashed an effort just wide.

Talent Ndlovu came close to equalising, lobbing the ball over Steeton stopper James Catlow, but also clearing the crossbar, before Briggs headed just over at the other end.

The home side went 2-0 up after half-an-hour, with Briggs' tenacity seeing him win the ball back on the edge of the Silsden penalty area.

The loose ball broke to Toby Jeffrey, who burst through a gap in the visiting defence and fired the ball home at the near post.

A well-worked free-kick soon got Silsden back into the game, as superb individual play from Luke Brooksbank saw him cut inside from the wing, beating three men in the process.

He then had the composure to square the ball for Ellis Hudson, who had an easy finish.

It was 2-1 at the break, but Steeton restored their two-goal advantage five minutes into the second half.

After Briggs was fouled, Jeffrey's subsequent free-kick was flicked home at the near post by McKiernon.

Silsden hit the post through Sam Deacon just before the hour mark, before Briggs had a superb lobbed goal chalked off after the referee blew for a foul on James Grogan.

The Cobbydalers had already lost Jake Maltby to a first-half injury, and there was a further blow with 20 minutes to go, as star striker Jos Bradshaw was forced off with what looked like a serious injury.

Jeffrey nearly rubbed salt in the wounds, but his fine curling effort from range went just wide.

Steeton had another chance to score a fourth with 10 minutes to go, but he fired over the bar from a good position.

Silsden did apply some late pressure, but Catlow made a superb save from Brooksbank to ensure there were no thoughts of a late comeback from the visitors.

The game was as fiery as you might expect from a derby, though the referee was happy to let most fouls go relatively unpunished, with only one yellow card dished out.

Steeton will look to take the momentum from this win into their Macron Cup first round clash at Darwen on Saturday, while Silsden will be aiming to bounce back in another derby, this time in the league at home to Albion Sports.