Silsden 2 Congleton Town 2

THE COBBYDALERS were made to pay for not shutting up shop as they conceded an 88th-minute equaliser against ten-man Congleton Town.

Silsden had taken the lead on 53 minutes when Kyle Hancock curled the ball in with his left foot from wide on the right.

The Bears immediately brought on Declan Fletcher to boost the attack as they searched for a quick response.

Silsden thought they had extended their lead when sub Nicky McNally broke though the defence to slip the ball home but he was deemed offside.

The Cobbydalers' search for a second goal cost them because they neglected their defensive duties. Fletcher picked up a ball just inside his own half, wide on the left, and immediately started on a curving run before he was fouled by Jack Brooks. The referee waved play on and, though Fletcher's initial shot was parried by Ed Hall, the sub scored with the follow-up.

Why was the defence so stretched? In the first half, when Silsden had faced a strong wind, both Chris Wademan and Hancock tracked back to deny the visitors' wingers space. Kyle Harrison was supreme at centre back, well backed up by Josh Kaine.

Needing a win, the Cobbydalers were forced on the offensive. Their second goal came on 80 minutes from a free-kick.

Congleton had six men in the defensive wall but Andy Hill drove the ball home into the bottom corner.

Silsden boss James Gill replaced the injured Danny Forrest before Fletcher's pace took him through again to the edge of the Silsden box. Silsden had been warned of the substitute's pace but, even with a spare man, they didn't spot the danger.

With two minutes left, the Bears broke up the left and the ball was crossed to the far post. Hall was rooted to his line but Brooks got a touch on the ball with his head but only to Fletcher, who hit a sweet volley to level the scores. Why hadn't the Cobbydalers defended in numbers? Why had they not taken the sting out of the game with the ball in touch (or even the canal!) Why hadn't they man-marked Fletcher? The Cobbydalers were left to rue two dropped points which keeps them two points behind third-bottom AFC Blackpool.

They should have taken the lead on just seven minutes when Wademan's cross gave Josh McNulty a simple tap-in but his shot went outside the near post.

And they also went close five minutes before the break. Harrison had a shot blocked on the goal line before Joe Mitchell's low shot toward the bottom corner hit a prostrate Tom Henderson.

Silsden were given an advantage on the stroke of half-time when Congleton's Michael Koral conceded a free-kick. He kicked the ball over the clubhouse and was shown a yellow card but foul and abusive language turned the card red.

With three games left to save their Premier League status, Silsden are also relying on other results.

Tomorrow, 1874 Northwich are the visitors to the Angel Telecom Stadium.

It is time for everyone to stand up and be counted...... and be more savvy!

SILSDEN: Hall, Brooks, Kaine, Harrison, Hill, Mitchell, Forrest (Gill 82), McNulty (McNally 62), Henderson (Dale 70), Wademan, Hancock.