AFC Liverpool 2 Silsden 3

SILSDEN kept alive their survival hopes as a Danny Forrest double earned them victory in a thrilling encounter.

Before the match, the Cobbydalers presented their hosts with a wreath of condolence at the end of an emotional week for the city following the Hillsborough inquest verdict.

Silsden had the first of three lucky escapes on 11 minutes when the impressive Emini Adenbengro latched on to a through ball from Marve Molyneux before rattling the woodwork of Ed Hall's goal.

Adenbengro was proving a real threat and Hall did well to deny him when he had turned Jack Brooks, who reciprocated his efforts when the Silsden keeper was caught out by the tricky winger.

Silsden were looking for scraps as Chris Wademan went on a mazy dribble past three players on the edge of the Liverpool box. He slid the ball to Forrest but it needed a first-time shot and he was closed down.

Kyle Harrison was proving once again what a fine signing he has been at the back but Silsden went 1-0 down ten minutes before the break. Alex Griffiths sent over a cross from the left and Brooks accidentally handled the ball at the back post. Molyneux dispatched the spot-kick with some aplomb.

Five minutes later the Cobbydalers were level with a goal that brought gasps from the crowd behind the AFC goal. Forrest had lobbed the ball down the right towards the edge of the penalty area where Nicky McNally hit a sumptuous volley from a narrow angle.

The second half started with Andy Hill beginning to dominate the midfield and Silsden took the lead on 55 minutes. Forrest drifted into space on the edge of the area and Hill's through ball was perfectly weighted for the striker to stroke past the keeper.

A minute later the cross-bar came to Silsden's rescue when Brandon Gaskell saw his shot rebound off the woodwork.

AFC equalised after 68 minutes and once again Adenbengro was the catalyst, cutting into the edge of the goal area before shooting. There wasn't much venom in the shot but Hall spilled the ball and Gaskell was on it in a flash to restore parity.

However, within a minute the Cobbydalers were back in front and again it was the cool head of Forrest who slid the ball wide of keeper O'Connell.

The Cobbydalers had 20 minutes to hold out and they managed it but not without a scare.

On 90 minutes, Adenbengro broke into the penalty area. Josh Kaine blocked his effort but, in a congested goal area, Gaskell struck the ball from three yards out. Hall stuck out a hand, the ball ricocheted off the post and Ryan Cattermole cleared the danger.

It had been a cracking game and praise must go to match official Barry Lamb, who let the game flow with a calm assuredness.

With results elsewhere going in favour of the Cobbydalers, the Yorkshire outfit moved out of the relegation zone but could be overtaken again as all three sides below them have midweek games in hand.

Bootle are the visitors to the Angel Telecom Stadium for Silsden's final game of the campaign next Saturday when the club are hoping a bumper crowd can help them pull off a great escape.

SILSDEN: Hall, Kaine, Brooks, Harrison, Hill, Mitchell, Forrest, McNulty (Cattermole 80), McNally (Henderson 63, Gill 71), Wademan, Hancock.