Silsden 0 New Mills 2

Leaders New Mills had collected only one point from their last three games but got back to winning ways against a Cobbydalers side who were once again slow out of the blocks.

The visitors might have won by a greater margin were it not for Chris Thompson in the Silsden goal.

James Nettleton returned to replace Peter Hanson, who is struggling to overcome tendonitis, while Nicky McNally was restored to the hosts’ starting line-up to lead the attack.

An under-hit pass back from Matthew Kershaw put Nettle-ton under pressure in the opening minute. Nettleton slipped, Adam Mather stole the ball and hit a low shot which Thompson parried before denying Steven Moore with an even better save.

The Millers virtually camped on the edge of the Silsden penalty area for the first ten minutes, with Luke Horrocks and Steven Pickford pulling the strings.

It was no surprise when they opened their account after 15 minutes. Thompson, under pressure from Grandson, got a hand to Mather’s cross but neither Martin Bland nor Ben Lamb could head it clear.

It fell to Carlos Meakin, who blasted home from eight yards.

A break between McNally and Lee Thompson ended with Tim Hird shooting wide. McNally was lively but finding it hard to time his runs.

The Millers’ second goal after 27 minutes came after a catalogue of errors. Lawrence Hunter mis-hit a free-kick directly into the path of Mather, who was fouled by Kershaw. Mather swung the free-kick to the far post where Rob Barraclough allowed Steven Moore to nip in on the blind side to tap home.

Chris Thompson made a spectacular save from Grandson’s dipping volley before the break. At the other end, Millers keeper Dominic Ingham-Hughes was forced to make his first save of the game. McNally latched onto a through-ball from Barra-clough but the keeper spread himself well.

The Millers dominated much of the second half but the Cobbydalers were unlucky on 50 minutes when they had a three-on-one break, only for play to be held up due to a head injury to Lee Thompson.

Meakin hit a volley onto the bar following a cross from Adam Morning and had another chance to add to his opener when Damian Whiteoak brought down Morning in the box.

Meakin hit his spot-kick firmly but Thompson blocked it with his feet. Moore beat the offside trap twice, only to be thwarted by Thompson again. Joe Jalil also cleared off the line as Silsden sought damage limitation.

On Saturday, the Cobbydalers, who were due to visit Flixton last night, travel to third-placed Congleton Town. Their opponents will be out to avenge their early-season defeat in Silsden.

On Tuesday, Silsden visit Goole Town in the West Riding FA County Cup first round.

The reserves host Eccleshill United reserves on Saturday.

SILSDEN: C Thompson, Nettleton (Bryan 40), Barraclough, D Whiteoak, Martin Bland, Lamb, Kershaw, Hird (Jalil 77), McNally, L Thompson (McNulty 57), Hunter.