RETURNING Joe Gaughan got Silsden off to the perfect start with the only goal against Sandbach.

He scored with a penalty after 25 minutes after making the most of his second chance, having just missed from the spot.

Silsden's victory was all the more satisfying after having to play the whole of the second half with ten men following Sam Chapman's dismissal.

The Cobbydalers' visitors from Cheshire had missed out on promotion last season in the play-off final against City of Liverpool FC by the only goal of the game.

There was a strong westerly wind blowing down the pitch favouring Sandbach in the first half.

Arley Barnes – another player back at Keighley Road – was dispossessed 40 yards from the Silsden goal but keeper Callum Jakovlevs saved Aaron Hassall's effort.

The Cobbydalers were being pushed back as Dan Illingworth was forced into conceding a corner. Two efforts were blocked from the resulting set piece before Matty Moses cleared off the goal-line.

Finally, after 15 minutes of pressure Silsden mounted their first attack with Niall Sultan's cross being cleared.

Silsden were stretched at the back, with Illingworth having to deal with two men as Kieran Garner-Knapper missed a golden opportunity.

Another good run by Sultan was cleared by the visitors' skipper before the drama in the United box took place.

Sultan cut in from the by line and slid the ball into the box. Kyle Hancock got there first and was upended by the Sandbach defender and a penalty was awarded.

Gaughan stepped up but his shot hit the keeper's right-hand post. Fortunately, it broke towards the penalty spot and Hancock won the chase again only to be fouled again in the box.

A second spot kick was awarded and Gaughan made no mistake second time around.

The visitors continued to dominate proceedings, with Jakovlevs making a point-blank save to deny Josh Lane.

Five minutes before the break Hancock latched onto a ball from Sultan and rattled the bar from 20 yards out.

But Silsden were dealt a blow just before the interval when right back Chapman upended Aaron Hassall on the left. Having already been booked for dissent, he received a second yellow card and was dismissed.

The second half started with Barnes twice setting up Gaughan for two shots, both of which were charged down. Sandbach had a swift break which came to nought before Barnes hit a screamer, which unfortunately hit Gaughan.

Cobbydalers got men behind the ball and Sandbach could not make the extra man advantage pay. Mark Trueman was injured and had to replaced before Nicky McNally came on. His pace forced the visitors on to the back foot and the Yorkshire boys almost made it two, but Hancock's second thunderbolt found the bar again.

However, Silsden held out, leaving boss Danny Forrest delighted with the victory.

He said: "We had to defend for much of the first half but Josh Kaine and Dan Illingworth held the defence together.

"We didn't attack much but we still controlled much of the game. I expected Sandbach to attack us more in the second half but we still dominated possession as they seemed to run out of steam."

Silsden are back in action tonight when they visit AFC Blackpool.

Silsden: Jakovlevs, Moses, Chapman, Kaine, Illingworth, Trueman, Barnes, Hancock, Mateusz, Gaughan, Sultan. Subs (all used): Baldwin, Rhodes, McNally.