Over 300 fans were at Dennyfield on Saturday, as Silsden flexed their title muscles further with a thrilling 3-2 win at neighbours Thackley.

The result left the visitors two points clear at the top of the Northern Counties East League Premier Division, with the hosts now clinging on to the final play-off spot.

In a fine contest between two of the best sides in the league, it was Thackley who arguably had the edge in the first half.

But Antony Brown and Slater Barnes failed to take their chances, with Silsden stopper Callum Bradbury making a couple of vital saves.

Instead, it was the Cobbydalers who took a 1-0 lead into the break, Ellis Hudson firing a superb shot on the turn past Thackley keeper Michael Roxburgh from inside the box.

Silsden doubled their lead on 52 minutes, as Kayle Price scored from a rebound, after his initial run and shot was kept out.

Thackley quickly got back into the game, as Ben Grech-Brooksbank headed Brown’s cross into the net, with the hosts getting on top thereafter.

But Silsden killed their momentum with 20 minutes to go, as Hudson had time and space to volley a cross beyond Roxburgh.

Liam Hudson gave Thackley hope late on as he latched on to Finn Donovan’s corner before slotting the ball into the bottom left corner.

And the hosts perhaps should have equalised at the death after a shocking backpass from Corey Billy.

Donovan beat Bradbury to the ball, but could only stab his effort inches wide, as Silsden clung on for a vital three points.

Like their rivals Thackley, Eccleshill United also slipped to an agonising 3-2 defeat at the weekend.

After falling 2-0 behind early on at Tadcaster Albion, second-half goals from Talent Ndlovu and Hass Gorji looked to have earned the visitors a point.

Tadcaster (yellow) find the net against Eccleshill on Saturday.Tadcaster (yellow) find the net against Eccleshill on Saturday. (Image: Keith Handley.)

But the home side scored in second-half stoppage time to secure a dramatic victory.

The defeat dropped Eccleshill to 14th in the division, but Campion are starting to look ominous coming the other way.

They moved up to ninth, with games in hand on everyone above them, with a 2-1 home win over Frickley Athletic on Saturday, Ewan Gregson and Sam Bradley scoring their goals.

Albion Sports dropped out of the play-offs and down to sixth after their free weekend.

Over in the North West Counties Football League First Division North, Route One Rovers are now just three points from safety.

The Bradford side won 2-0 at Holker Old Boys on Saturday, Zak Khan scoring a penalty late on before Muhammad Arshad clinched victory in the dying seconds.

Muhammad Arshad (left) scored the clincher for Route One on Saturday.Muhammad Arshad (left) scored the clincher for Route One on Saturday. (Image: Deborah Eastham Photography.)

That result leaves fourth-bottom Steeton looking over their shoulders, as they fell just short of a superb comeback on Saturday, losing 4-3 at home to Thornton Cleveleys.

In the Northern Premier League East Division, Brighouse Town moved out of the four-team relegation zone with an excellent 4-1 home win over Carlton Town.

Liversedge romped to a 4-0 win at struggling Ashington to move up to 14th in the table, the hosts in massive trouble as soon as they had their keeper sent off in the first five minutes following a scuffle.

Guiseley fell to third in the NPL Premier Division, as they could only draw 2-2 at home against lowly Warrington Rylands.

Finally, Farsley Celtic sit just two points clear of the National League North drop zone after a ghastly 4-1 defeat at fellow strugglers Oxford City on Saturday.