SILSDEN travelled to struggling Knaresborough Town in the NCEL Premier Division on Tuesday night, but could only manage a disappointing 0-0 draw against 10 men.

The reverse fixture in December had seen the Cobbydalers storm to an 8-1 home victory, but Knaresborough have made a raft of impressive signings since then and they managed a superb 3-1 victory against second-placed Eccleshill United a few weeks ago.

But when Tuesday night's hosts had Jake Rose sent off for a late tackle on 35 minutes, Silsden became huge favourites, yet they could not break their stubborn opponents down.

The Cobbydalers started brightly, but the first real chance came at the other end after 12 minutes, when a break down the right saw the ball crossed to Sean Hunter.

He looked certain to score but Kyle Welsh, in the Silsden goal, made an excellent save.

Two minutes later, the ball was driven out to Knaresborough's Thomas Dugdale on the right, but his cross was headed marginally wide of the far post by Danny Edwards.

Midway through the half, a corner created chances for the home side. Dugdale had the best of them but Welsh made a crucial save.

A free kick from Rose then rattled the Silsden crossbar, but shortly after that, the same player was sent off for a dangerous tackle.

Skipper Benjamin Parkes’ next tackle was arguably even worse but he managed to escape with a yellow card.

In the final minute of the half, Jos Bradshaw went close for the Cobbydalers with an effort from outside the penalty area, but Knaresborough goalkeeper Jamie Hassall gathered the ball at the second attempt.

After the break, Carlton Pownall went close for Silsden when sliding the ball to the far post before Kyle Hancock tried a speculative effort from distance which cleared the crossbar.

The league's leading scorer Jack Normanton then ended a slick Silsden passing move with a powerful shot from six yards out, but Hassall made a remarkable save.

Immediately, he launched the ball forwards and Silsden were caught short at the back.

Edwards managed to round the Silsden keeper but Dan Illingworth saved the day, clearing the ball off the goal line.

At the other end, Brad Riley had a chance blocked and Bradshaw saw an effort saved by Hassall, before Welsh brilliantly tipped a long shot from Knaresborough over the bar as he was falling backwards.

In the final 10 minutes, both sides had further efforts which cleared the bar.

Then Silsden's Finn Donovan saw a shot blocked on the edge of the Borough area and Pownall saw his low effort gathered at the second attempt by Hassall.

It may have finished as a 0-0 draw but the game was a thriller, with both goalkeepers having to perform heroics to keep clean sheets.

On Saturday, the 12th-placed Cobbydalers entertain high-flying Penistone Church at the Office Interiors Stadium.