Silsden kept up their improved performances when they drew their New Year battle with Glossop North End - and could have secured an impressive win.

They were thwarted by the woodwork and the North End keeper as they were held to a 1-1 draw, with a string of chances going begging.

Although they could have picked up both points coach Andy Geary will be happy to go into 2006 with a draw, a secure mid-table position and the chance to continue their improvement in the North West Counties premier division.

The Cobbydale side enjoyed an early purple patch with Michael Rosser feeding Jamie Longley on the left but James Gill's shot scraped past the post.

Longley also missed a golden opportunity when Gill supplied the cross and left him facing an empty net, but his shot came back off the post.

The Longley-Gill double act continued with the move giving Gill a one-on-one chance, but the Glossop keeper kept his cool to parry the shot.

With a little more luck and composure Silsden could have been 3-0 up but the Derbyshire took advantage of their good fortune. Goalkeeper Martin Foulger saved a fiercely struck free kick and the defence kept North End at bay despite heavy pressure.

The visitors were always a threat at set pieces and when the ball was headed up into the air from a corner Kharas was quickest to respond and put Glossop ahead after 20 minutes of frantic action.

Gill almost equalised immediately when he burst into the box and cut across the keeper before he caught his ankle. Gill stumbled but managed to regain enough balance to shoot but without any power.

The crowd expected the whistle to to go for a penalty, but the official waved play-on.

Mick Rhodes saw his shot tipped over the bar and Gill had another shot blocked as they peppered the Glossop goal and when Jamie Longley finally got the ball into the back of the net it was ruled out for offside.

The goal that had been threatening throughout the match finally came when Longley's through ball stretched the Glossop defence and Tim Hird burst through to slide the ball under the advancing keeper.

The 1-1 half time scoreline did not reflect Silsden's domination of the game, but they were put under pressure themselves after the break as North End launched a series of telling attacks.

Martin Foulger was inspired in goal and played on despite an suffering an injury midway through the second period.

With time running out Silsden began pushing forward in search of a winner with Tom Applebee in commanding form down the right. Most of the half they had relied on breakaway efforts and the final action came from the visitors as they again hammered the Silsden goal.

The first half had gone to Silsden and North End had the better of the second period leaving Geary to consider the 1-1 draw a point gained as his team launch their 2006 campaign.

Silsden now spend the rest of January travelling the M6 to away games with visits to Alsager Town, Stone Dominoes and Newcastle Town as they bid to move further up the table.