MO Qasim's brace was not enough as Silsden surrendered a two-goal lead to lose 3-2 to Albion Sports in the Toolstation Northern Counties East League Premier Division.

Until the stroke of half-time, the Cobbydalers looked to be heading for a comfortable win. Leading 2-0, Silsden were well in control until the visitors were handed a penalty.

Skipper Arley Barnes conceded a corner. The ball was swung over and, in a packed penalty area, it was struck goalwards from close-range. The ball hit the hand of Mark Everingham who was on the goal-line. The referee blew for a spot kick and Sports skipper Daniel Facey rifled it home.

Silsden manager Danny Forrest had been forced to make several changes to his team with Hancock, Illingworth and Moses unavailable and Airey suspended.

New signing Jos Bradshaw came in to lead the attack. In the opening minutes Jack Normanton had a shot blocked before Qasim and Bradshaw combined to test the Albion keeper again.

Brad Riley was soon into the game fizzing over a dangerous cross but the best effort came from Normanton, his shot being deflected for a corner.

Qasim then crossed into the box to Joe Mitchell, who couldn’t quite get enough power on his shot.

Albion finally broke forwards in the 10th minute but Sammy Lee dealt with the danger.

Four minutes later Barnes fed Riley, on the right, who crossed into the box.

Bradshaw slid in but his effort shaved the outside of the post.

Albion responded with Tariq Hassan having a low shot deflected for a corner, after a one-two with Jaydan Sandhu.

Both keepers made significant saves, Lee denying former Cobbydaler Robbie Fox and George Clarke stopped Bradshaw getting a goal on his debut.

The stalemate was broken on 27 minutes. It was a goal starting and finishing with Qasim but involving inter-passing between Harry Thompson, Normanton, and Bradshaw.

Silsden dominated the following 10 minutes with slick movement and passing.

Normanton’s pace took him across from the left, sliding the ball out to Riley on the right. He drove it into the penalty area to Qasim, who slid it through the keeper’s legs.

Silsden looked comfortable but, with six minutes left to the break, Fox came into the game. He set up Kieran Suddards, who fired over the bar. Fox then headed over before bursting through two defenders, hitting his effort marginally over. The goal eventually came from the penalty spot.

The second half started off with Silsden still pressing forwards. Mitchell hit a left foot shot wide of the Albion post and Normanton just failed with a diagonal shot, after being put through by Everingham.

Several chances were created, but the Reds just couldn’t net the third goal, which would have given them a cushion.

The killer blow came on 72 minutes. Fox broke up the left and crossed into the Silsden area. Substitute Omar Habeeb slid the ball home to make it 2-2.

Eight minutes later Fox cut in but Lee saved his shot. However when Thompson was dispossessed by Fox, the Silsden keeper could do little about it to make it 3-2.

Thompson almost made amends in stoppage but his shot time went wide.