Silsden 2, Winsford 1 - Silsden closed the gap on their promotion rivals with a victory more comfortable than the final score suggests.

Manager Andy Geary was able to name his strongest squad with Martin Bland and Gavin Finn starting in midfield but Winsford had most of the early possession.

However, Silsden created the better chances and Tom Appelbee, who was a threat thoughout the game, should have given the Cobbydalers the lead in the sixth minute but his volley sailed over the bar.

It wasn't long before Silsden found the net and once again it was ace predator Dale Hoyle who beat the defence to Adam Reed's free kick and headed into the corner of the net. Silsden were more cautious than normal often surrendering possession and space in midfield but Winsford had difficulty breaking down a resolute defence.

Jimmy Hedges was everywhere, dictating play in midfield and setting up attack after attack. Hoyle and Appelbee exchanged passes to set up Bland but his run was checked and then the midfielder sent Appelbee away but his shot was charged down.

The half finished as it had begun with Appelbee tormenting the visitors defence with his pace and tight control.

Winsford were more purposeful at the start of the second half and a good break down the left led to a corner which was initially cleared by Reed. The ball was soon returned but again Harrison couldn't keep his shot down. Holden who had defended well and attacked with determination pulled a muscle and was replaced by Peter Hanson.

Silsden began to take a firm hold on the game and were unlucky not to double their lead when Hoyle headed down a Reed free kick into the path of Hedges but his diving header was saved by Conkie. Hoyle then forced a corner which the keeper punched out but the Yorkshiremen kept the pressure on.

Reed fed Michael Rhodes who turned inside the defence and chipped the ball over a static defence. Appelbee was on it in a flash and this time his accurate volley hit the back of the net.

They should have driven home their advantage further, Bland's long range effort was high and Hoyle headed another superb free kick over the bar. Hopley and Hanley managed to create one chance but Foulger was barely troubled in the whole game.

Jamie Longley and James Gill replaced Hoyle and Finn. Gill then headed a superb Hanson cross across the face of the goal just out of reach of the outstretched foot of Appelbee and followed up by heading a Rhodes free kick narrowly wide.

With eight minutes to go Winsford pulled a goal back. Wellstead had just had a good run down the right cleared for a corner which Silsden could have cleared. Two shots were blocked but the ball eventually fell to Chambers who slotted it into the far corner. Minutes later Booth was wide with a clean header.

The game ended with Silsden on the attack, Rhodes created two excellent chances one of which was headed over by Bland and another smothered at Longley's feet by Conkie.

Silsden got their tactics right and with Hedges, Finn and Bland dominating the midfield Rosser, Lund and Reed were rarely threatened.

To date the team has played 28 games with a minimum of 24 more to play. Both Geary and Hedges must feel aggrieved by inconsistencies in refereeing. Three times Winsford deliberately kicked the ball away to delay free kicks and Booth was lucky that the challenge on Hoyle resulted in only a yellow card, never mind the attempted headbutt unseen by the officials. Hedges' booking and dismissal last week were very harsh in comparison.

A trip to Daisy Hill of Westhoughton on Saturday is followed by three games against promotion rivals over the festive season.

On December 27 they travel over the border to take on East Lancasire side Nelson and on Monday, January 3, they have a second 'derby' game at Padiham.

They follow up with a home fixture against second placed Camell Laird on Saturday, January 8.