West Riding County Women's League Division Three: Silsden Development 2 Clifton Rangers 1

SILSDEN leapfrogged their opponents to claim revenge and guarantee at least a top-four spot.

After narrowly losing at Rangers several weeks ago, Silsden wanted payback and went close early on as striker Chloe Greenwood's clever pass found Hollie Kirtley, who shot inches over the bar.

There was a second let-off for the visitors as Fatima Khatun also went close but Clifton almost took the lead on the counter, a fantastic save from keeper Laura Thurling denying them.

On 35 minutes Silsden took the lead as Leah Gilmore brushed aside several defenders before launching the ball over Clifton's defence for Kirtley to latch on to and power the ball home.

Kirtley went close on two more occasions before the break but Clifton equalised in the 42nd minute after a well-executed counter-attack. Silsden nearly had the final say of the half when Greenwood's shot just scraped the side of the post.

Silsden made some changes and fresh legs seemed to have an impact as Khatun went agonisingly close to regaining the advantage.

She made a superb run into the 18-yard box before her shot hit the underside of the bar and bounced down on the line. Kirtley desperately attempted to head the ball in but Clifton's defence scrambled it clear.

Thurling tipped the ball around the post at the other end, while sub Gemma Scott-Jones outwitted her marker to set up Megan Robson-Owens for a super strike at goal.

Khatun was denied twice by the keeper as the game looked to be heading for a draw.

However, in the 88th minute another whirlwind run from match-point winner Khatun saw her ward off several defenders before neatly placing her shot wide of the diving keeper to clinch a 2-1 success.

The result left Silsden in third place, though they will drop to fourth if Dewsbury Rangers earn a point in their game in hand.