Silsden 1 Cammell Laird 2 - Runaway League leaders Cammell Laird felt the sting in Silsden's tail as they kept their hopes of a place in the League Cup Final alive.

The Lairds have lost only one league game and the clash with Silsden promised to be a mouth-watering fixture.

Jamie Longley might have scored in the opening minute but scuffed his shot. The opening exchanges were like two boxers testing each other out.

The Cobbydale side weathered the storm as Cammell Laird launched wave after wave of attacks, and hit a purple patch ten minutes before half time.

Jimmy Hedges found Holden who whipped in a great cross just out of the reach of Jamie Longley. The striker then took his turn on the right and crossed for Hoyle but the keeper managed to save his diving header.

In a flurry of goalmouth action Hoyle had another header saved as he collided with the post.

As the half came to an end Lairds mounted another attack. Foulger made a great save low to his right from McCoy's powerful header and was injured in the process but having cleared one corner Silsden were beaten when Collins headed home from close range - the first goal Foulger had conceded in almost 500 minutes of football.

In the opening exchanges of the second half Martin Bland had a header cleared off the line.

The equaliser eventually came when Michael Rhodes hit a deep free-kick to the back post where Hoyle managed to head it back across goal. A weak clearance fell to Rosser who blasted it low into the net.

The Laird's response was swift but Silsden were equal to it, Nettleton blocked an effort from substitute Rey and Rosser denied Morgan. Rey was proving quite a handful, he turned inside Matthew Bland but the defender recovered well to concede a throw in.

Bland followed up by playing a one-two with Holden but his shot was easily held. Longley battled in the box against three opponents and managed an overhead shot whilst off-balance which grazed the bar.

Immediately the Birkenhead boys broke forward again and had an appeal for a penalty turned down as Foulger dived at the legs of McCoy. However Rey was quickest to react and blasted the ball home.

As the game was coming to an end Silsden were indebted to Foulger who saved Rey's header at the near post and another by Sheehan as the visitors tried to put the tie beyond Silsden's reach, but the Cobbydalers live to fight again.

Blackpool Mechanics 3

Silsden 3

Full back James Nettleton was sent off after only seven minutes of their clash with the seasiders on Tuesday night. He handled a goal-bound shot and was given his marching orders for only the second time in his career.

Blackpool took the lead from the penalty spot and Sildsen were forced to regroup as they faced the rest of the game with ten men. They came under tremendous pressure and after 23 minutes Beattie drove home a second goal. Silsden's response was swift with Bland placing a looping header into the back of the net.

The respite didn't last long as Blackpool hit straight back with Beattie again breaking clear. His deflected shot was parried by the Silsden keeper, but he followed up to slot the ball home and take a 3-1 lead into the break.

Even with 10 men Silsden thought they may yet get something out of the game and with the wind at their backs they piled pressure on the Mechanics goal. Hedges and Hoyle both went close before Hedges chipped the ball home after 10 minutes.

Henderson made two blocks with his feat to deny Beattie a hat-trick.

The game was well into stoppage time when the final drama unfolded. The ball was launched forward by substitute Schofield and a game of 'head tennis' ensued in the penalty area.

Captain Mick Rosser went up but was pushed in the penalty area and the referee pointed to the spot. The skipper stepped up to take the kick and blasted the ball home to clinch a draw.

n This weekend the Cobbydalers travel to Birkenhead to visit Cammell Laird for the second leg of their cup semi-final ahead of an Easter weekend double-header.

On Easter Saturday they are at Darwen (1pm) and Nelson visit Cougar Park on Easter Monday (3.00pm).