Cammell Laird 1, Silsden 0 - Stand-in goalkeeper Chris Wheater misjudged a shot from the League's leading scorer in the fifth minute of Silsden's cup second-leg clash - but he recovered to produce a series of outstanding saves and keep the tie still alive.

With a mounting injury list, suspensions and work comitments, Andy Geary's squad was stretched to the limit for the visit to league leaders Cammell Laird.

Geary drafted in Luckett-Farley and Stevie Gray and had Spencer, Schofield and Akroyd on the bench but the team gave a good account of themselves and might have pulled the tie level in the second half.

A full-strength Laird's side attacked from the off and dominated the first half with swift inter-play and superb one-touch football. Jebb and Morgan both wasted opportunities before the latter beat Wheater at the near post with a driven cross from the right.

Hanson managed Silsden's first shot but it was weakly hit and Hoyle was denied by Collins.

Silsden thought they had equalised when Rosser headed Hoyle's flick over the line but the flag was raised for offside.

The Lairds broke quickly but Morgan's drive rattled the post. The back three of the Cobbydale side were outstanding as the Merseysiders launched a series of attacks, Nettleton blocking runs from Rey and Morgan. Silsden then seemed to have been denied a penalty when the ball was handled by Ward in the Laird's penalty area and the referee waved play-on.

Luckett-Farley was finding the pace hard but he held his ground well when blocking the dangerous Jebb who was bursting through from the midfield. Superb control and inter-play by Jebb and Morgan led to Rey breaking through but Wheater tipped the ball round for a corner which was only partially cleared to Jebb who curled his shot narrowly wide.

Luckett-Farley then cleared a shot from Morgan before Rosser was dispossessed. Fortunately Rey had strayed offside. As the half came to its close Wheater saved at the feet of McGuire and then brilliantly tipped over Cooke's near-post header.

The Cobbydalers had been pegged back for much of the first half but they were still in the tie and the second half was much more even.

Holden was narrowly wide with a free-kick early on. Nick Hey stole the ball from Sheehan near the half way line and fed Hoyle who, noting the keeper well off his line tried a speculative chip but Blimpson manage to reach it. Rey cut in from the left past three defenders but his shot was well wide before Silsden created their best chance.

Bland fed Hoyle down the left and he cut the ball back from the goal-line. Holden raced in but fired over the bar. Away went the Lairds forcing another fine save from Wheater and good blocks from Reed and Nettleton. Spencer replaced Hey and nearly had an immediate impact. A deep penetrative pass from Rosser cleared the defence and Spencer pulled the ball down swiftly only to see his shot blocked. The resultant corner fell to Hanson but his shot was sliced wide. Wheater was then back in the thick of the action saving first at the feet of Morgan and then Jebb.

A deep ball from Reed again saw Spencer clear of the defence but he was ruled to be offside. Akroyd, back from Spain, came on for the hard working Grey but was deemed offside when following up Hoyle's flick. Rosser headed Holden's corner wide in Silsden's last effort to force the ball home.

Geary said after the game that he was pleased with the performance but stressed the need for the same fighting spirit in the hard push ahead for promotion. He was delighted with Wheater's performance especially with Foulger facing a lengthy lay off.

On Saturday the Cobbydalers visit Darwen (1.00pm k.o.) and then entertain Nelson for a Roses derby on Easter Monday (3.00pm).