Silsden 2 Runcorn Town 1

The Cobbydalers have finally beaten bogey side Runcorn Town at the eighth time of asking, the previous seven games having all been won by the Merseysiders.

Indeed the game was the first time Silsden have netted two against Town in what was the hosts' fifth win on the spin.

A superbly-headed goal from Josh McNulty in the opening half and a second from new boy Robert Grimes on 69 minutes gave the Cobbydalers the edge but they had to withstand tremendous pressure in the last ten minutes after the visitors had pulled a goal back.

The visitors were soon on the attack and Kevin Ryan was forced to clear after Christopher Lester had split the defence with an excellent through ball.

Silsden gradually settled and Michael Morrison had a shot charged down at the other end but the visitors response was swift, with ace marksman Paul Shanley driving in a low shot which Phil Rishton saved comfortably.

Silsden's build-up play was cautious initially but they began to create openings, with Andy Hill spraying the ball out to the wings.

Matty Moses, playing on the left in the absence of the suspended Ben Crabtree, hit a deep right-footed cross which keeper Hayden Buckley-Smith was able to gather. However, a minute later when Moses hit a similar cross, the visitors' defence and keeper were statuesque, allowing the smallest man on the park, McNulty, to rise like the proverbial salmon to head the ball home.

McNulty went close with another effort before Runcorn broke into the Silsden half, Cummings setting up Andrew Potter, who was halted by a fine challenge from Ben Lamb.

Silsden resumed where they had left off in the second half, Morrison going close with a volley following a long throw-in from Deakin-Pickard.

The visitors came into the game as Jack Irlam headed wide and it became clear that the Cobbydalers would need a second goal to calm the nerves. Enter Craig Nicholls on 60 minutes for McNulty.

Immediately there was an injection of pace, with Nicholls twice getting to the byline having crosses blocked. Finally he broke to the byline and laid the perfect low ball into the box for Grimes to convert after getting ahead of his marker.

Runcorn went for broke, throwing on two attacking substitutes. Ryan denied Shanley with a superb tackle, which unfortunately led to him being injured and substituted. Silsden were all geared up for Wademan to come on up front but Zack Dale came on as right back and Deakin-Pickard moved into the middle.

Runcorn substitute Ross Davies hit a low shot wide before Shanley set up Irlam, who broke through to drive the ball home from close range on 82 minutes.

The visitors sensed an equaliser as Irlam put over a superb cross which Keddie headed wide at the far post.

With three minutes left, Irlam finally beat Rishton but Deakin-Pickard headed off the line and the Cobbydalers held out for a long-awaited victory.

Assistant-coach Ryan Haigh said: “There is a real buzz around the place. We can feel it at training and the run has helped build confidence.

"We have a difficult task this week with a trip to runaway leaders Runcorn Linnets, who have only lost one league game to date.

"We went close when we played them at home earlier in the season. We surrendered a two-goal lead before they netted the winner two minutes from time. We'll be prepared for a tough game."

Haigh will be hoping skipper Ryan is fit to face the Linnets. He has led by example, not only using his experience in defence but chipping in with vital goals.

SILSDEN: Rishton, Moses(Moore 74), Deakin-Pickard, Mitchell, Ryan (Dale 83), Lamb, Hill, Morrison, Grimes, McNulty (Nicholls 60), Riley.