Silsden AFC 2 Abbey Hulton 1

AIDAN Kirby fired a 94th-minute winner for Silsden as they maintained their promotion push in Hallmark Security League Division One on Saturday.

With the scores level on 70 minutes, Silsden manager Danny Forrest made a positive move coming on himself for Luke Rhodes to freshen up the Cobbydalers.

A minute later Abbey Hulton broke away and Dan Illingworth upended Josh Tune, who was bursting though the home defence. Illingworth was dismissed. A minute later a shot from Walker shaved the outside of Callum Jakovlev's post.

Silsden responded immediately with Aidan Kirby seeing yet another effort saved by Luke Birkenshaw, who had already denied the Cobbydalers time after time.

With Silsden in a three-way battle for promotion, Forrest replaced Chris Wademan and Niall Sultan. Mark Everingham and Matty Tomas came on and their pace was crucial in the final minutes as the visiting defenders tired.

In stoppage time, Kirby received a short corner played along the goalline. He twisted and turned but his shot was blocked for another corner.

Everingham found Kirby who hit a superb volley from 10 yards out through a packed area to score.

Compared with the final 20 minutes the game might have appeared tame but it was anything but.

The leagues’ new boys had improved over the season and the Cobbydalers only won on their home ground with a late winner from Wademan.

Silsden started brightly with Craig Bentham having a shot deflected into the side netting.

Tyler Savage, on The Abbey right, almost opened the scoring on seven minutes but his shot hit the post. He sliced the rebound wide.

Silsden's Bentham showing class in midfield, when after his shot hit the stanchion, he set up another attack.

Kirby ran through but he was denied by the keeper. Wademan followed up to give the Reds the lead.

Silsden drove forwards but couldn’t get a second goal.

The pressure continued after the restart. Bentham hit a super ball up the right and Kirby saw a low shot deflected wide. Wademan's volley was narrowly wide.

Five minutes in, the visitors finally put some pressure on the Silsden goal. The ball was hit, blocked, hit, blocked. There appeared to be two infringements on the Reds defenders but play moved on and eventually Oliver Griffiths scrambled the ball home.

The Cobbydalers were patient. Bentham hit another shot over and Sultan drove a shot inches wide. Kirby twisted his body before seeing Birkenshaw deny him again. Forrest came on. Kaine sorted out the defence after Illingworth’s dismissal. Kirby was foiled by a superb tackle from Joe Lewis. Reece Kendal fired over. The visitors almost took the lead when Savage crossed to Griffiths. His shot cleared the goal.