Abbey Hey 2 Silsden 1

Silsden slipped to a Vodkat League defeat at relegation-threatened Abbey Hey in strong winds as the icy breeze cut a swathe across the north.

The Cobbydalers had the elements in their favour in the first half but it proved to be no advantage.

A long punt towards the Silsden net by Dave Singleton held up in the wind but that meant keeper Matthew Everard misjudged it and spilled it over the line.

The visitors ended the first half on the up and came close to a leveller. Andy King shot over two minutes before the break and then Martin Bland battled through to the edge of the area but the home keeper was brave and smothered at his feet.

Abbey Hey came under pressure in the second half but then launched a breakaway. A cross from the left flank and a stab in by the Manchester side's substitute James Doherty left the visitors two behind.

Silsden were handed a chance to get something from the game in the 66th minute. A foul on Lee Reilly inside the area saw the home side reduced to ten men but Michael Rhodes had his spot-kick saved.

With just eight minutes remaining, Silsden snatched what turned out to be merely a consolation when a free-kick fell for Bland to side-foot home.