Silsden have finally made it through to the Northern Counties East League League Cup third round, three months after their first attempt.

Their second-round tie at Tadcaster Albion, scheduled for November 2023, was postponed on multiple occasions due to waterlogged or frozen pitches, as well as flooding.

But the North Yorkshire side were able to host the game on Tuesday night and it turned out to be worth the wait.

A gripping contest ended 2-2, with the visitors sneaking through 4-3 on penalties to set up a third-round tie at home to Knaresborough Town.

Silsden made a sensational start, Jake Maltby putting them in front after only three minutes.

But the home side equalised soon after from a dubiously-awarded free kick, Junayd Cassius-Gill finding the back of the net impressively with the set-piece.

The Cobbydalers looked to retake the initiative, with both Ellis Hudson and Maltby having efforts saved by Hiram Romero.

Tadcaster still carried an attacking threat of their own, and went in front through Jordan Hines after 37 minutes.

Silsden keeper Jacob Rabone had to stop Lucas Nelson’s attempt with his feet just before the interval to ensure his side were not staring completely down the barrel at the halfway stage.

And that save looked even more vital straight after the break, as Kayle Price smashed the Cobbydalers level with a shot on the turn within 60 seconds of the restart.

Rabone made a superb stop to keep out Daniel Thirkell’s free kick just before the hour mark.

A shaky Romero made a couple of errors in the second half, missing a backpass only for team-mate Conor Qualter to clear the ball off the line, before he recovered from a miskick to deny Price.

Luke Brooksbank then fired just wide for Silsden, before Taddy saw Qualter sin-binned on 73 minutes.

But Silsden soon lost that advantage, when skipper Arley Barnes was sent off for a second bookable offence on his 300th appearance for the club.

Keighley News: It was a special night for Silsden skipper Arley Barnes (front) and his team-mates bailed him out after his late red card.It was a special night for Silsden skipper Arley Barnes (front) and his team-mates bailed him out after his late red card. (Image: Linda Gartland.)

Both sides had golden chances to win the game late on, only for Thirkell to blaze a shot over after a corner fell to him six yards out, and Maltby to be denied by the legs of Romero after being put through by Sam Kilner.

That sent the game straight to penalties after 90 minutes, and Silsden were perfect from the spot.

Conversely, Joe Crosby hit the post for Tadcaster, before Rabone saved from Ben Tweed to send the Cobbydalers through.