Kirk Deighton 0

Ilkley AFC 0

(Ilkley lost on penalties 6-5)

Ilkley went out of the second cup competition in as many weeks as they lost out on penalties to a team they had beaten only two weeks previously in the league.

Ilkley didn't really get going in the first-half, struggling to get to grips in midfield or keep possession when going forward.

Neither team could create any decent scoring opportunities with both defences getting the better of their opposing forwards. Ilkley finally started finding teammates with more consistency after 30 minutes and started to increase the tempo.

The best chance of the first-half came after 35 minutes. Richardson started the attack down the left, played a one-two with Stockdale before checking inside and passing to Houlston.

He spread the play to Joe Horne on the right who put in an excellent low cross between the defenders and the 'keeper but Stockdale couldn't quite reach it at the back post to put it into the gaping net.

Ilkley were now starting to apply a little bit of pressure and Jamie Barrow saw his left foot effort drift just wide of the right hand post.

Half-time gave the players a chance to assess where they could improve and it seemed to do the trick for Ilkley at the beginning of the second-half. The players all wanted to get on the ball and were

passing with more conviction.

Most of the play was taking place in the attacking half of the field and the defence of Dixon, Bloom, Trimnell and Richardson were quelling the attacks from Kirk Deighton.

The game was there for the taking but Ilkley still struggled to make any clear cut chances with the home team's keeper claiming nearly every cross.

Ilkley were close to taking the lead when they forced a couple of corners in succession.

After seeing the 'keeper claim everything in the air all afternoon, Richardson kept the ball out of his reach and Bloom attacked the ball with determination and was unfortunate to watch his header cleared off the line by a defender.

Ilkley created another good chance for Stockdale when Dixon came forward with the ball from right back, beat a player before prodding the ball into the area for the Ilkley forward.

He created a yard of space and tried to force the ball in at the near post, but the onrushing 'keeper closed him down well and managed to deflect the ball onto the post and out for another corner.

Kirk Deighton were not to be outdone though and worked tirelessly to try and break down the Ilkley defence. They were causing problems from set-pieces, but couldn' quite find the scoring touch.

It was their turn to worry the opposition when the centre forward rose above Ilkley's defence only to see his seemingly goal bound header come back off the bar and Ilkley managed to scramble the ball clear in a panic.

It was time for a change for Ilkley who introduced Danny Clark for Stockdale.

This allowed top scorer Joe Horne to move forward joining Barrow in attack. As the Ilkley players tired, the passes started going astray once again and they were unable to fully utilise the pace of Horne.

The best chance of the whole game came for the Kirk Deighton No 9 when he managed to wriggle free of Dixon and close in on Jones in the Ilkley goal. He seemed to keep his composure and slot the ball past the 'keeper but once again saw his effort hit the bar.

The game went into extra-time and it was Kirk Deighton who again went closest when they completed an unwanted hat-trick of hitting the bar.

The match was then to be decided on penalties, and after all ten of the designated takers impressively found the net, it went to sudden death.

It was ironic that the Ilkley captain David Knox, who had been inspirational to his team all afternoon, saw his spot kick saved.

l Ilkley face yet another away trip this week when they travel to Camerons. Players/supporters to meet at Ilkley Swimming Pool, time to be confirmed.