SILSDEN bowed out of the FA Vase at the first hurdle on Saturday, going down 2-1 at home to Bradford District rivals Albion Sports.

All the goals came in the second half of this first qualifying round tie, with Jamal Stewart's 77th minute strike proving decisive.

Cobbydalers boss Danny Forrest was able to bring in Dan Illingworth at centre-back for his first start of the season.

But it was the home side's attack who featured early on, as slick passing between Khurram Shazad and Jack Normanton set up Joe Jagger, who tested the Albion keeper George Clarke with a low shot.

Stewart then hit a dipping ball towards the Silsden net, which Sammy Lee managed to grasp on the goal-line.

The game swung from end to end. Cobbydalers striker Mo Qasim had a pair of low shots saved at one end, while Shaun Airey blocked Danny Facey’s effort at the other.

A mistake by Airey, who was caught in possession, allowed Jayden Sandhu in, but Lee made a fine save to deny him, before Clarke was forced to deny Normanton almost immediately afterwards.

Silsden began to raise the pressure on the Albion defence with Qasim, Jagger and Normanton all going close. However, Albion were always a threat on the break.

Raeece Ellington almost broke through, only to be denied by a superb tackle from Lewis Gardner, before in the dying minutes of the half, both sides had opportunities to break the deadlock.

Stewart curled the ball over the bar from the right before Jagger, killing a long clearance from the back, set up Shazad, whose effort was easily saved.

The second half started with the same intensity. Illingworth managed to deny the visitors a clear shot on goal, but only at the expense of getting injured, though he carried on after treatment.

Joe Mitchell and Normanton combined to free up Jagger soon after, who twisted round his marker to fire just over the bar. Mitchell then shot wide.

Marcus Harper blocked another effort from Normanton, after his slick interplay with Jagger.

Finally the deadlock was broken, when Facey broke through the Cobbydalers’ high line to slide the ball home on the hour mark.

It was against the run of play and had been a momentary lack of concentration after Silsden had netted an offside goal.

For a moment Silsden were rocked and Facey almost made it two, firing over the bar with the goal at his mercy.

The visitors were made to regret the missed chance as the Cobbydalers took advantage, with Qasim slotting home Normanton’s cross to equalise.

Normanton then almost put the home side in the lead, his speculative effort just clearing the bar.

The game became stretched with half-chances at both ends. Gardner managed to clear a dangerous cross before Stewart fired over Lee’s crossbar.

With just over 10 minutes left, the visitors netted a second when Robbie Fox broke down the right, outpaced the Silsden rearguard, and crossed for Stewart to slide the ball home past Lee.

Sandhu wasted a good chance to make it three, before substitute Lewis Gartland almost notched an equaliser, Clarke denying him with a fine save.

Arley Barnes then set up substitute Craig Billington, who did hit the back of the net only for the goal to be ruled out for offside.

The game was in stoppage time when Lee came up for corner. The keeper was agonisingly close to netting a dramatic equaliser at the far post, but he failed to turn the ball home, and Silsden were out.