PHOENIX let vital points slip in their top of the table clash with Brighouse Town.

The visitors started the day in third place, but a 2-0 victory at Marley put them level on points with the Keighley side. Both now have 41 points, but Phoenix have two games in hand on their challengers.

Hemsworth Miners Welfare are also in the thick of the action just one point behind. They have played the same number of games as Phoenix.

This weekend the Keighley side have an opportunity to secure their 14th victory of the season when they take on strugglers Altofts at Marley, kick off 2.30.

Phoenix are also due to play Hemsworth in the semi-final of the League Cup at Littletown FC's ground on Easter Monday (April 24).

Silsden extended their lead at the top of Division Two with a 3-0 victory over Westbrook Wanderers.

With four first team regulars out, Silsden were still able to field a strong team against unpredictable opposition. Steve Gray opened the scoring, chipping the keeper to give Silsden a 1-0 half-time lead.

In the second period Westbrook took the game to Silsden but again found the defence solid. After 70 minutes Martin Bland broke down the right and his cross-come-shot ended up in the top corner to give Silsden a 2-0 lead.

His brother Matthew Bland headed home from an acute angle to secure a 3-0 win. Silsden's rock solid defence have yet to concede a goal in the new millennium.

With five league games remaining Silsden need one more win to secure promotion to Division One in their first season in the league.

Keighley Shamrocks let their chase slip when they went down 4-2 to fourth placed Hunsworth. Paul Driver and Graham Finn scored for Shammies, but they were beaten by a Steve Oakes hat-trick and a single strike from Andy Lee.

Phoenix Reserves also found Brighouse tough going after they were beaten 4-2.

The Keighley side were struggling for players because of injuries and Brighouse took the lead on 10 minutes when Heath Maddocks was left with no chance by a fierce shot from the edge of the box. However, they were soon on level terms when Mark Sutcliffe burst through and slammed home an equaliser.

Brighouse were 3-1 up by the break leaving manager Richard Huck to reorganise the Keighley side. They were soon back in the game when Liam Daley stole in at the far post for his first goal of the season, but the game swung back in Brighouse's favour when they regained their two goal advantage a minute later and Phoenix were left to regret a poor first half performance.

Shamrocks Reserves visited second placed Eastmoor in their Reserve Division clash and just missed a share of the points, going down 1-0.

Lee Rhodes' blistering shot was tipped over the bar by the keeper who was kept busy all afternoon. Shammies also hit the post and crossbar on a day when nothing went their way.

Sixteen-year-old goalkeeper Martin Coleman pulled off some smart saves and is growing in confidence and was named the referee's man of the match.

Eastmoor's goal came from the penalty spot. Liam Bellamy had a fine second half and Mike Metcalfe performed well on his first outing while Dean Condren kept the Eastmoor marksmen subdued.

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