SILSDEN'S home game against Winterton Rangers looked in doubt on Saturday due to fierce winds, and though it did go ahead, it was the visitors who went home happy, as they recorded a 2-1 victory.

Winterton went into the game three points ahead of the Cobbydalers in mid-table, and it was they who drew first blood when Josh Walker headed them in front in the opening 10 minutes.

A late second from Paul Grimes sealed the points for the visitors, though there was still time for league top scorer Jack Normanton to net a superb consolation goal for Silsden in injury-time.

Both teams adapted their game accordingly to the dreadful conditions and attempted to keep the ball on the ground as much as possible.

Winterton were soon on the attack and Sammy Lee had to save a Walker header from a free-kick in the opening minute.

He made another good stop in the eighth minute, but Walker was there to nod home the rebound.

Gradually, the home side came into the game, with Mark Everingham shooting wide and Brad Riley seeing his effort saved by Nathan Popple.

The Winterton stopper soon made further stops from Jos Bradshaw and Harry Thompson.

Rangers got back on the attack in the last 10 minutes of the first half, but on the break, Khurram Shazad may have equalised for Silsden if he had made use of his left foot.

With the wind at their backs, Winterton dominated the opening exchanges of the second half.

Right-back Sam Aynsley cut inside two men but shot wide of the far post, skipper Lee Ridley hit a speculative shot over the bar and then Dan Illingworth saved Lee’s blushes as the keeper failed to gather a tame effort.

After a lull, Jack Varley's curling effort for Rangers just shaved the far post.

With 20 minutes left, Ryan Thompson shot over the bar after a fine move before Shazad, at the other end, brought a breathtaking save from Popple.

The resulting corner was swung in and Illingworth’s header ricocheted off the post into the keeper’s arms.

That proved costly, as Grimes, who also happens to be Winterton's assistant manager, netted a second.

Silsden responded, with Carlton Pownall finding Shazad, who shot wide, while at the other end, substitute Dan Walker hit the post.

With just minutes to go, Normanton, receiving the ball from Joe Mitchell, saw his effort tipped over the bar.

But the league’s top scorer was not to be denied, firing home a screamer in the dying minutes.

Both sets of players handled the dire conditions well, producing a highly-entertaining game.

But that is of no use to Silsden, who drop to 14th with the defeat.

This coming Saturday, the Cobbydalers travel to third-placed Garforth Town.