Abbey Hulton United 1 Silsden AFC 2

A LATE winner from Chris Wademan saw Silsden grab all three points in the Potteries.

Abbey were quickly out of the blocks, almost catching the visitors off guard in the opening minutes, before Callum Jakovlevs gathered the ball off the goal-line.

The home side moved the ball swiftly in last night's match, harassing the visitors in the opening exchanges but, with Dan Illingworth and Josh Kaine reunited, they couldn't break through a resolute defence.

It took almost 20 minutes for Silsden to create openings, a flowing move ending with Aiden Kirby finding the Abbey keeper and Wademan breaking through, only to drive his shot into the arms of Luke Birkinshaw.

Wademan looked to have opened up the home defence but was fouled on the edge of the Abbey penalty area. Kyle Hancock brought a fine save from Birkinshaw.

At the other end, Illingworth, Matty Moses and Kaine were forced to concede corners before Josh Graham broke through.

Calum Jakovlevs saved at his feet although the offside flag had been raised. The Staffordshire boys were working hard but two minutes before the break Niall Sultan swung over a cross and Wademan flicked it to Luke Rhodes, who hit a dipping volley over the keeper to give Silsden the lead.

Illingworth had the ball in the net a minute later but the assistant flagged for offside.

The Cobbydalers began the second-half with some slick passing and Kirby broke through, only to be denied by a timely block. Hancock, who had set Kirby up, then curled in a free-kick which Birkinshaw saved at full stretch.

Moses, after some good defending, then broke forwards to latch onto a ball from the impressive Barnes. Birkinshaw saved down by his near post.

Thomas Kilgariff then denied Kirby with a superb tackle before the home side were reduced to ten men, with Jordan Buxton shown red. Three more Abbey players were cautioned.

Down to ten men, the hosts managed an equaliser. It came from a corner on the right which was squeezed past Jakovlevs at his near post by Graham on 75 minutes.

Another foul on Wademan followed but the striker finally settled the issue when he was put through by Rhodes. He burst into the penalty area and shot. Birkinshaw managed to get a hand on it but Wademan slotted it home with seven minutes remaining.

The win put Silsden seven points clear of second-placed Litherland, who play tonight.