Silsden 3 Padiham 2

The Cobbydalers surrendered a two-goal lead midway through the second half but secured all three points thanks to a penalty from Joe Mitchell in a mouth-watering rehearsal for Saturday's FA Cup game at the same venue.

The Storks had started the season brightly, losing only one of their five games to table-topping Barlick, and started positively with Curtis Haley heading wide.

Having withstood the pressure, Silsden scored the opener on 17 minutes when Jack Brooks headed home Talent Ndlovu's corner. Joe Mitchell hit a rasping shot over and Chris Wademan struck an effort agonisingly wide before the Cobbydalers doubled their lead a minute after the interval.

Talent Ndlovu threaded a delightful ball though to Craig Nicholls, who swivelled and hit a curler beyond the desperate dive of Sean Davis.

Silsden pushed forwards but this left space at the back as Alex Ralph had two chances to pull a goal back. They were caught out when substitute Sean Cookson headed home a deep cross on 65 minutes and soon afterwards the Storks were on level terms.

Silsden lost possession in their opponents' half and Padiham countered, with Curtis Haley ending the breakaway by sliding the ball under Danny Thorpe.

However, the hosts regained the lead on 72 minutes when Wademan was tripped in the box and Mitchell struck home the penalty.

Padiham worked hard for the equaliser but a magnificent save from Thorpe denied Cookson an equaliser in the dying minutes.

First blood to the Cobbydalers but the teams have to go through it all again on Saturday. If the game is anywhere as compelling as this one was, the fans are in for a treat.

The Cobbydalers entertain Ashton Athletic in the league on Tuesday, September 1.