Bootle 2, Silsden 0

Failure to convert chances into goals led to Silsden losing more ground in the North West Counties League Premier Division as they suffered defeat at high-flying Bootle.

The Cobbdalers’ defence is solid and they held their sixth-placed hosts at bay for 78 minutes. But once the rearguard had been breached, the Merseyside outfit were always going to bank the three points.

Sean Coulton, Will Smart, Grant Pruden and Sean Miller had all gone close for Bootle in the first half hour.

The best the visitors could muster in the goalless first half was a Josh McNulty cross that no-one attacked and an Andy Hill shot that was blocked.

There was more frustration for the Cobbydalers soon after the interval when a promising run by Anthony Lynch opened up the home defence.

Running down the left flank, he dipped his shoulder to cut inside and glide past two defenders but his low centre just eluded Mikey Hall a yard from goal.

As if to rub Silsden’s noses in it, the home side broke the deadlock from a similar position.

A left-wing cross from Helio Andre was met by Miller and although his header came back off the post, he pounced on the rebound to tap in with keeper Ed Hall still on the deck after trying to save the initial attempt.

Bootle wrapped it up four minutes from time when Miller, who is on Chester’s books but is gaining experience at Bootle, picked up a through-ball and slid a shot past Ed Hall for his second goal.