Formby 2, Silsden 2

The west coast missed out on the lowest of the temperatures this weekend, meaning Silsden's visit to Formby in Vodkat League Division One was frost free - but it did not stop their defence getting caught cold twice.

It took the visitors a long time to break the home side down, finally opening the scoring just five minutes before the interval. It began with a passing move but ended with a trademark individual strike by Lee Reilly.

Early in the second half, Silsden forced a corner which was delivered to the far post. Sean Airey, sent forward for his aerial threat, headed it back across the box and Andy King tapped in.

The Formby comeback began midway through the second period, when a free-kick led to Darren Jones scoring, and the equaliser soon followed as Marty Wilson snatched possession before securing a point for the home side.

"When you are 2-0 up and looking comfortable you have to be disappointed not to come away with three points," said Cobbydalers number two Jimmy Christian.

With manager Paul Schofield away for the weekend, Christian was in charge - assisted himself by senior player Martin Bland, who was serving a one-game ban.

Christian added: "We took our goals really well and had chances on the break to extend our lead. That didn't happen but all we had to do to get the win was defend well and keep a clean sheet.

"We couldn't do it and gave sloppy goals away. The first one was from a harsh free-kick, as we didn't agree with the decision at all, and it gets the home side back in the game - but we should have defended better against it.

"The same can be said of their second goal, when the defenders were passing it about instead of constructively clearing their lines. One of their lads nicked the ball and before you know it we are level with 15 minutes to hold out for a draw."

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