Silsden 2, St Helens Town 3

Silsden failed to reverse their recent Vodkat League slump but came mighty close in this Premier Division battle of the two rugby club tenants.

The Cobbydalers had a nervous morning before Cougar Park was passed fit for the visit of St Helens Town. But having got what they regarded as good news, the hosts went behind to an early goal.

St Helens keeper Kevin Woods had already made a smart save before the visitors opened the scoring in the second minute. A header from Iain Dyson was not dealt with and Rob Hanley raced through to score.

The home side did not have long to wait to get on level terms. An eighth-minute break by Jordan Barker down the right flank culminated in a cross, Danny McNulty got on the end of it and although his header hit the post, Jamie Longley followed up to turn the ball in.

By the midway point of the first half it was 2-2. The visitors went back in front when a Rob Barrowclough backpass did not find keeper Phil Rishton and Dyson nipped in to steer the ball into the net.

But once again the Cobbydalers hit back to produce an equaliser. A long punt by Rishton was flicked on by Longley but only to St Helens defender Stephen Kaye, who was then robbed by McNulty and he ran on to slide a shot under the keeper.

There was still time for one last twist in the first half as St Helens regained the lead just before the interval. McNulty was at fault initially as he conceded possession and that led to a foul by Chris Simpson on the edge of the area, with the resulting free-kick curled in by Graeme Mitchell.

The second period was quite sedate in comparison and ultimately goalless but, on a day of difficult conditions because of the incessant overnight and morning rain, there were still chances.

Both sides were denied by the woodwork, with Silsden the first to strike the frame of the goal.

A strong run took Simpson into the area and, after rounding Woods, his shot hit the post and rebounded across the face of goal. Jordan Barker was lurking with intent but his shot on the turn from a tight angle went narrowly wide of the empty net.

The visitors’ brush with the woodwork was every bit as dramatic. With Silsden pressing, there were gaps and Hanley broke through but his effort hit the bar and crashed onto the post before running along the line where a relieved Rishton gathered.