SILSDEN'S game against Emley on Saturday was similar in pattern and conclusion to the match against Maltby Main a week previously, with this one also ending in a 2-2 draw.

Silsden conceded the lead twice and twice drew level against Emley, exactly the same as when they played Maltby, and despite the late point, it now means Silsden have only won one of their eight home league games so far this season.

But fortunately they have excelled on the road, winning five out of seven, meaning they sit comfortably in mid-table rather than looking over their shoulders at the relegation zone.

And the league is the sole focus now, with the club having already been knocked out of the FA Cup, FA Vase, West Riding County Cup and the NCEL League Cup.

Jack Normanton was back in the team on Saturday and was immediately in the action, forcing the Emley keeper Gary Stevens to dive low to his left to deny the Cobbydalers the opener.

However, five minutes later, Emley took the lead. Right back Sam Pashley broke up the right and managed to get to the Silsden byline to cross for Callum Charlton, the left back, to slot the ball home.

On 16 minutes, Emley almost notched a second, James Ngoe heading wide as the ball was curled over to Silsden stopper Sammy Lee’s far post.

Two minutes later, Brad Riley managed to send the ball over to Mo Qasim, whose shot was tipped over the bar by Stevens, while at the other end, Emley’s Joe Jagger, a Silsden player until last month, fired over the crossbar.

The equaliser came on 28 minutes when skipper Arley Barnes sent Normanton away.

His pace took him into the box where he slid the ball home.

George Doyle, at the other end, should have restored the visitors’ lead but headed wide with the goal at his mercy.

After a cross from Qasim, the ball was deflected for a corner. but Dan Illingworth’s header from the resulting delivery just cleared the bar.

A fearsome free-kick from Normanton was then blocked by the defensive wall, before the half came to an end with Charlton almost notching a second for the visitors.

The start of the second half saw Silsden on the front foot.

When an inswinger came across from the wing, Riley had the chance to put Silsden in the lead but he wasted the opportunity, trying to get on to his favoured foot.

Emley hit back though, and a swift break from their forwards, involving Jagger, Doyle and Lennon O’Grady, ended with the latter firing over the bar.

A minute later it was 2-1 to the visitors, when Doyle headed the ball in the net unchallenged.

Forrest reacted by bringing himself on for Ben Clarkson, adding some pace and experience into the forward line.

Immediately Silsden attacked, with Qasim curling an effort just wide.

Forrest then sent Qasim through but he was halted by a heavy challenge.

It was all Silsden in this little spell, and when Illingworth slid a pinpoint ball through to Forrest, only a fine stop by Stevens denied the player-manager a goal.

With 20 minutes left, the game could have gone either way.

Immediately after coming on, substitute Khurram Shazad received the ball from Matty Moses, before crossing to Forrest, who headed wide.

Shazad had an even better chance to equalize minutes later when set up by Qasim, but he failed to hit the target.

On 80 minutes Danae Lawrence broke free, with only Lee to beat, but the Silsden stopper dived to his left to save the day.

Immediately the ball was moved up the pitch and Normanton was on to it in a flash, leaving a trail of defenders in his wake to level the scores.

Silsden pushed for a winner, but a brilliant run by Qasim ended with his effort shaving the outside of the post.

The Cobbydalers are in action again on Saturday, hosting struggling Bradford District rivals Albion Sports.