A 2-1 defeat away to newly-crowned Northern Counties East League Division One champions Parkgate in the NCEL League Cup quarter-final ended Silsden’s 2023/24 campaign on Saturday.

Experienced striker Ross Duggan opened the scoring after just three minutes for the hosts, but Sils fought back and levelled just before the break through Jake Maltby.

Despite looking to be on top in the second half, the Cobbydalers were unable to find a goal, leaving them to be punished by Rob Ludlam’s fine finish late on.

Silsden found themselves behind inside the opening minutes as Duggan found space on the edge of the box before unleashing a left-footed shot into the bottom corner.

The Steelmen would have been two ahead were it not for Silsden stopper Jay Rabone pushing a strike onto the upright.

After that, the Cobbydalers began to get a foothold in the game, Ellis Hudson testing home keeper Jordan Greaves, who made an impressive diving catch.

But their pressure eventually told, as Maltby levelled the scores on the verge of half-time.

Casey Stewart made a driving run from the left wing and raced into the box, before delivering a low cross into Maltby’s path.

The midfielder made no mistake with the finish, as he rifled the ball into the roof of the net.

The Cobbydalers came out in the second half looking to put themselves in front, and very nearly did so.

Maltby went so close to giving them the advantage on 55 minutes, with his effort from distance flying narrowly wide of the top corner.

Otherwise, Parkgate’s defence did well to contain the Sils frontline, Kayle Price seeing a number of his shots blocked by the home side’s centre halves.

The last 15 minutes took on a different complexion however as the hosts began to threaten again, Rabone doing well to hold on to a dipping strike from range.

Keighley News: Jay Rabone had a good game in the Silsden goal, and was largely blameless for their defeat.Jay Rabone had a good game in the Silsden goal, and was largely blameless for their defeat. (Image: Linda Gartland.)

But he was powerless to stop Ludlam putting Parkgate in front on 82 minutes.

A cross was only half-cleared and the midfielder unleashed a low shot on the half-volley that found the back of the net.

Silsden substitute Dan Smith came close to levelling the scores late on, as he produced a brilliant curling effort that was matched by a great diving save from Greaves in the Parkgate goal.

The result brings Silsden’s season to a close, while Parkgate’s win sees them visit Bradford side Campion in the cup semi-finals.