West Yorkshire League Premier Division: Ilkley Town 2 Oxenhope Rec 1

ILKLEY leapfrogged Oxenhope to leave the Worth Valley side back in a relegation slot.

A scrappy game was not helped by a sticky pitch and a biting cold wind. The home side had the best of the opening exchanges, using the wind to their advantage with long balls that their speedy wide players could run on to.

One strike was well saved by keeper Eddie Jackson and another rattled the Oxenhope bar.

So it was against the run of play when the visitors took the lead on the half-hour mark. A Dan Moriarty corner was swung in and Dan Scott rose above everyone but the Ilkley keeper flicked his firm header over the bar. The second corner saw the same combination but this time Scott’s header found the net.

Five minutes later Ilkley equalised following a break down the left. A cross into the centre and a combination of neat passing and missed tackles saw the ball firmly struck home by Adam Davey.

At the other end, a fine passing move involving Ben White and Moriarty gave Chris Day sight of goal but his shot went narrowly wide.

After the break Oxenhope got on top with White, Joe Jalil and Lewis Hopkinson getting a grip of midfield, enabling both Day and James Gill sight of goal but their shots were blocked by the keeper.

Just as it appeared that the game was now swinging in favour of the visitors, the hosts grabbed the lead.

Rec’s defence failed to clear their lines and a cross to the far post was slotted home by Adam Fowler.

The visitors rallied as Gill linked up with sub Joel Gallagher but his shot was blocked. Then a move involving Gill and Moriarty saw the latter’s cross met by Scott but his shot went over.

Ilkley were dangerous on the break and saw a fierce strike from the edge of the box tipped over by Jackson.

In the final minutes, a Moriarty corner saw Gill’s shot go the wrong side of the bar.

This was a disappointing result in a game where victory would have given Oxenhope breathing space in their battle against the drop.

They travel to bottom side Wetherby on Saturday (2pm) knowing three points are vital.

Oxenhope: Jackson, Fleetwood (Ward), Wilson, Nelson, Scott, White, Jalil, Moriarty, Day (Gallagher), Gill, Williamson (Hopkinson).

* Oxenhope Reserves’ league cup tie at Fields was postponed because of a waterlogged pitch. This Saturday they host Robin Hood Reserves in Alliance Division One (2pm).