Glossop North End 2 Silsden 0

After a successful start to the North West Counties Premier Division season, the Cobbydalers have now lost four on the trot.

The margin between success and failure is only small and the return of more experienced players should add a little composure and confidence.

Although North End dominated possession and territory, Silsden created enough chances to have gained a share of the points.

Silsden’s best chance of the first half fell to Joe Gaughan on 35 minutes. Tom Marshall and Jake McEneaney broke swiftly to give Gaughan a sight of goal but he lifted his shot over the bar.

At the other end, Dean McGregor timed his run to perfection but he dragged his shot wide with only keeper Edward Hall to beat.

While Glossop wasted numerous opportunities, the turning point came on the hour-mark when Elliott Holmes was dismissed.

Holmes and Ben Conn-olly were chasing a ball down the left when the latter reached the ball a fraction before the Silsden man. Holmes made contact with his opponent in what the official deemed a dangerous challenge.

The red card came out immediately for what was a mistimed tackle.

Glossop piled on the pressure as skipper Kelvin Lugsden headed over and Connolly delayed too long with the goal in his sights.

Adam Oakes wasted another opportunity but eventually North End got the vital goal.

It came when Gaughan lost possession with four colleagues breaking forwards.

The ball was moved swiftly to Connolly, who drove forwards unchallenged to beat Hall with a low drive on 72 minutes.

Connolly should have made it two when he intercepted a pass from Peter Hanson but he sliced his effort wide.

Silsden boss Chris Reape went for broke, replacing right back Matthew Moses with Mike Garrod with ten minutes to go.

It nearly worked, although Oakes should have made it two after Silsden had managed to block two efforts on the line.

A free-kick from McEneaney was fumbled by the Glossop keeper Ashley Hall. Nick Allen scrambled away but only a block by Lugsden denied Joe Jalil an equaliser after a break involving Kevin Ryan and Gaughan.

North End broke away and, despite the efforts of Steven Throup and Danny Husband, they finally settled matters when Alex Elliott hammered home in the dying seconds.

The Cobbydalers, who were given a bye in the county cup last night after scheduled visitors Askern Villa could not raise a team, entertain St Helens Town on Saturday.

Silsden: Hall, Moses (Garrod 82), McEneaney, Nanje-Ngoe, Throup, Husband, Holmes, P Hanson, Gaughan, Ryan, Marshall (Jalil 66).