Silsden 1 Nelson 0

SILSDEN returned to winning ways in Division One of the Hallmark Security League last night with a narrow home victory in a no-nonsense derby.

Neighbours Nelson were the visitors and despite it being a nasty, wintry evening, 247 hardy souls paid their hard-earned money to come through the turnstiles.

They witnessed a tough game that saw both sides reduced in numbers as the Admirals finished with just nine men and Silsden ten.

It was a stern test of the character of Danny Forrest's league leaders after they had suffered their first defeat of the season last Saturday.

They were beaten by a stoppage-time goal at Holker Old Boys and the 1-0 win for the Cumbrian outfit ended Silsden's previously perfect 17-match start in the league this term.

The Cobbydalers extended their lead at the summit to 16 points, temporarily at least with the other clubs playing today, as Chris Wademan claimed the game's only goal.

Wademan struck midway through the first half when he latched on to a loose ball after Mark Trueman's effort had only been parried by the Blues' keeper.

The visitors' stopper had been in fine form and he kept his side in the hunt with a string of excellent saves right through to the final whistle, although Nelson were restricted to very few opportunities.

The Cobbydalers peppered the Admirals' goal, with Joe Gaughan, Niall Sultan and Arley Barnes all being denied by the keeper.

Nelson lost a defender to a second yellow card soon after the hour mark and the Lancastrians played the last five minutes plus stoppage time with nine men after a straight red card for a bad challenge on Barnes.