Silsden 0 Ramsbottom 0 - After a run of narrow defeats Silsden went some way to rebuild their confidence when they held the Lancashire side to a goalless draw.

Following the retirement of Hoyle, a classic target man, the team has had to adjust. In a league where chances are few it has been necessary to tighten the defence but for too many games this has led to the ball being cleared too hastily and possession conceded.

Finally they got their passing game together and looked much more assured and composed.

Geary's set up might have been described as a 'diamond' formation, however like most systems the pattern was determined by the players available, not the system.

Although the final outcome was goalless there were chances at both ends. Hedges with a neat turn inside his marker set up Jamie Longley as early as the fifth minute but his shot was marginally wide. A free kick was awarded after Rosser surrendered possession but the dangerous visitor, MacDonald, shot over the bar.

MacDonald was to waste further opportunities although Foulger was forced to parry one fierce effort on target from the Ram's winger. Martin Bland then spread the ball wide to Longley, his superb cross was headed out for a corner from which Bland headed over the bar when well positioned.

The response from the Rams was swift with Hart heading a corner back across goal and McManus heading over the bar. Silsden escaped when a chip from Price hit the bar. Nettleton managed to head it back goalwards but out of reach of Foulger, however the keeper just managed to grab the ball at the feet of Webster.

This was followed by a break by Packer down the left working the ball to Holden who swung in a dangerous cross which Kerr punched out.

The second half started with a dream move involving eight players and eleven passes. Hedges held up play eventually feeding Longley who moved the ball to Bentham. The ball was then laid into the path of Martin Bland who blasted the ball goalwards, a wicked deflection took the ball towards the top corner but Kerr made a remarkable adjustment tipping the ball out for a corner.

Both Bland and Foulger saw errors go unpunished by MacDonald and McManus respectively before Hedges broke clear of the defence only to see Kerr make another save at close quarters.

The Rams were still creating chances of their own with left back Dervish pushing forward to support the attack but with Bentham closing men down in midfield Nettleton and Rosser were less exposed than in previous games.

Geary was in a dilemma regarding substitutions, whether to gamble for three points or settle for one. He was probably right to keep things tight.

As it was a chance fell to Hedges in the dying minutes but having got the better of his marker, Kerr was again swift to deny him a goal.

No goals but football of the quality the fans have come to expect. The players played with more confidence and beliefand now the hope is that the result can kick-start the rest of the season.

On Saturday the Cobbydalers visit Padiham in the League Cup when they meet the only team to gain six points from Silsden last season, on Thursday they are away at Bacup.