A 95th-minute equaliser from Mo Qasim earned 10-man Silsden a 2-2 draw against Maltby Main in the Toolstation Northern Counties East League Premier Division.
Qasim's brace earned the Cobbydalers a precious point after they had been out-played for much of the game and were equally indebted to goalkeeper Sammy Lee for keeping them in the game.
Silsden were facing the wind in the opening half and, in the first few minutes, Shaun Airey conceded possession on the edge of the penalty area. Lee managed to tip Reagan Waud’s shot over the bar.
The ball was crossed in and Lee was injured in a crowded penalty area. He recovered and managed to flick the ball over for another corner.
Chandler Gibson looked certain to break the deadlock with low drive, but Airey blocked for a corner.
Maltby broke through the Silsden midfield with some ease and the Miners were able launch attack after attack. Gibson was again denied by Airey but it was Lee who was keeping Silsden in the game.
Silsden’s first sortie forwards came on 15 minutes, Qasim seeing his low shot cleared.
The pressure continued with Morgan James, on the Miner’s left, seeing his cross-shot shave the far post. His next cross skidded wide before Barnes blocked another effort.
It had taken 20 minutes for the Cobbydalers to build a second attack, but Khurram Shazad just held the ball too long and was closed down.
Brad Riley then managed to slide a through ball to Qasim but the ball caught on the wind.
The Cobbydalers’ best chance came when Shazad slipped a ball through to Ben Clarkson, but he was quickly closed down by Connor Cutts.
Airey lost possession in his own area but managed to recover before Lee saw his goal-kick carried back into his own area.
The Miners were making good use of the wind. Jones cut in from the left only to curl his effort wide of Lee’s far post then the Silsden guardian managed to punch Williams’ effort clear.
Finally the deadlock was broken. Waud burst past Airey and Barnes was forced to concede a corner. Jonathan Hill curled the in-swinger in at the near post to give the Miner’s the lead six minutes from the break. Silsden managed to hold on until the half-time whistle.
Expectations were raised after the break with a free-flowing move between Parsons, Shazad and Qasim.
A free-kick followed and the ball was slid into the path of Qasim who, in the melee, put it under the Miner’s keeper’s body two minutes into the second half. Clarkson then crossed to Qasim but wind took it into touch.
The Cobbydalers’ fans were expecting the home side to dominate with the wind at their back.
Unfortunately, the Miners tactics of keeping the ball on the ground and breaking out at pace gave them the edge.
They had a golden spell with Lee managing to push Gibson’s low shot for a corner.
Another break from the back was halted by Mark Everingham at the back post before Gibson saw his header rattle Lee’s crossbar.
Barnes then cleared up after Williams had burst through again, then Gibson rattled the crossbar.
When a cross held up in the wind on the edge of the penalty box with Waud challenging, Lee was forced to head it clear.
Gradually Silsden began to open up the visitors defence. Parsons' deft touch and turn created an opening but he over-hit his through ball.
On 60 minutes Shazad slid the ball across to Qasim but the angle was too tight and Warhurst saved his shot.
At the other end, Williams got the ball in the net but it was ruled offside. Another burst from the forward highlighted how the Miners had broken through with pace.
Eventually the goal came. Gibson left a trail of defenders in his wake and slid the ball under Lee’s despairing dive.
With 25 minutes left the Cobbydalers now had throw caution to the wind.
Hancock slid the ball through to Shazad, whose low shot was well saved by Warhurst.
The visitors were still a threat on the break but gradually the home side began to cause problems.
Mitchell came on for Parsons on 73 minutes and Silsden manager Danny Forrest brought himself on.
Qasim set up Shazad, who saw his shot tipped over by the keeper. From the corner Qasim had another effort blocked before an unsavoury incident took place near the halfway line, leading to the dismissal of Airey and two of the visitors cautioned.
The 10 men didn’t give up. Barnes denied the Miners a third with some composed defending before Maltby attempted to wind the clock down.
Five minutes of stoppage time was just enough for the Reds, Qasim cut in from the right and slid the ball home on the 95th minute to give Silsden a share of the points.
Silsden's next game is in the County Cup tomorrow night against Campion before they entertain Emley AFC on Saturday, November 13.
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