Silsden 5, Squires Gate 1

Silsden eased their fears of being dragged into the North West Counties League relegation dogfight with a five-star Premier Division display against one of the clubs hovering just above them.

A brace from Danny Gleave and two Chris Wademan penalties set the Cobbydalers on their way, before substitute Dale Feather wrapped up the scoring.

Gleave broke the deadlock with a header to Andy Hill’s 33rd-minute corner and nodded in his second to convert James Gill’s free-kick just before the hour mark.

Wademan was brought down in the area and scored the resulting penalty and he followed that with a second from the spot after Matthew Moses had been fouled.

Between these spot-kicks, Jamie McQuillan grabbed the visitors’ only goal but Feather had the last word, slipping the ball under the visiting keeper just two minutes from time.

The win lifts Silsden up to 18th place, immediately behind their Blackpool-based opponents, and leaves them four points above the drop zone.

Cobbydalers spokesman Jim Rosser said: “It was a really good performance and it should give the lads some confidence.

“It was an important win but there were some strange goings on in the second half because the officials weren’t particularly strong.

“Our first penalty was touch and go and then the ref had to consult his assistant before giving their goal.

“All of that seemed to affect the officials and our second pen was a soft one. We were very fortunate to get that – but it wouldn’t have made a difference to the result.”