SILSDEN fell to a 1-0 home defeat against AFC Mansfield at The Office Interiors Stadium on Saturday afternoon in the NCEL Premier Division.

A third-minute goal from the visitors handed them the victory, as despite creating a few half-chances, the Cobbydalers couldn’t find an equaliser.

That leaves them winless in their previous four matches and sees them drop to 14th in the table.

The visitors took that early lead when a miscommunication in defence saw a long ball float over the Silsden backline.

Goalkeeper Alfie Darke didn’t come to claim it, allowing Mansfield striker Luke Walker to poke it home.

The Cobbydalers put the ball in the net just six minutes later when a long ball found Antony Brown, but unfortunately his measured finish was ruled out for offside.

The home side came close again just two minutes later.

Jack Normanton’s neat footwork gave him a yard of space and his shot was narrowly deflected wide. The resulting corner was headed just over by Dan Illingworth.

The Cobbydalers pressed hard for an equaliser, and a smart turn from Brown allowed him to get a shot away, but it rebounded off the post, before Joe Mitchell fired wide with a shot from the edge of the box.

Limited chances fell to both sides for the remainder of the half, and from a Silsden perspective, a Normanton free kick hit the wall and another Mitchell strike from a tight angle was held by Mansfield keeper Adam Revuelta.

The early second half exchanges continued in the same vein as the end of the first, with neither side really creating anything clearcut, and the game descended into back-and-forth possession for both sides.

It was Mansfield who created the first big chance of the half on 67 minutes, when a mistake from Illingworth allowed Walker through once again, but his powerful strike flew wide of the post.

Silsden wouldn’t be discouraged however. Brown headed a cross back into the path of Arley Barnes with the Silsden skipper slicing his volley upwards rather than goalbound, much to his dismay.

Lewis Gardner continued to provide a threat from left-back, driving forward and causing problems for the Mansfield defence.

His hard work went unrewarded however, as Silsden struggled to fashion clear chances.

On 80 minutes, another smart touch from Brown allowed him the space to turn, but his shot drifted agonisingly wide of the right hand post.

That meant, despite their best efforts, the Cobbydalers were unable to find the equaliser and the game finished 1-0 to the visitors.

It was a disappointing performance from Silsden, who will look to bounce back when they face Sherwood Colliery at home tonight. On Saturday, the Cobbydalers travel to Maltby Main.