Pannal 3 Ilkley AFC 2

The crampons and ice-picks were out again on Saturday as the Booths sponsored Ilkley AFC set themselves another mountain to climb against championship rivals Pannal.

Gifting the home side two goals after 20 minutes through elementary defensive mistakes, Pannal added a third before Ilkley staged a terrific rally in the second-half and deserved a draw.

A combative home side hurried Ilkley players and the opening minutes of the game were hectic as both teams gave the ball away too often. Ilkley created the first opening when Pannal 'keeper Latimer was forced to punch clear under challenge from Hoyle after a good run and cross by Hogg.

Knox was crowded out on the edge of the penalty-area and Hoyle blazed over from an acute angle after a good pass from Hall. Then setback number one occurred when a harmless punt forward by Pannal full-back Darvill was dropped into his own net by Ilkley 'keeper Taylor. Two minutes later hesitation in the Ilkley defence allowed O'Halloran to clip the ball beyond Taylor for a second Pannal goal.

The home side rode their good fortune and added a third when more indecisive defending allowed O'Halloran to score a copy-book second goal after 30 minutes. At 3-0 down league leaders Ilkley were not going to crumble and the character of the team this season produced a determined response to the adversity.

After Latimer had saved bravely at Hoyle's feet and Hughes had seen a hooked volley shave the far-post, a strong tackle by Trimnell started a one-touch move that sliced through Pannal's defence and Hoyle drilled the ball low past Latimer.

Pushing forward with increasing regularity, Ilkley applied pressure a tiring Pannal side and Hughes and Williams both headed wide from Hogg's inswinging corners.

The loss of the injured Wilson did not curtail Ilkley's spirit and a 3-1 half-time scoreline gave the visitors hope. The second-half resembled a siege with Ilkley 'keeper Taylor only having one save to make. His counterpart Latimer became the busiest player on the field as Pannal were penned into their own half.

Without ever producing flowing football, the Ilkley players battled for possession with more resolve and gave the ball away less often. Bloom set an excellent example with determined defending and Tweddle and Trimnell followed this lead to stifle any Pannal attacking ambitions.

Hoyle headed over from Giles' free-kick, Hall almost wriggled through before a last-ditch tackle by Levine cleared the danger, Williams saw his low drive well-held by Latimer and Hogg clipped a free-kick inches too high as Ilkley bombarded the Pannal goal.

The breakthrough came after 70 minutes when Hall blocked Latimer's attempted clearance and the loose ball was headed into the net by Hoyle.

The referee then made three crucial decisions that undermined Ilkley's surge for an equaliser.

Firstly, he failed to award a penalty when Hughes was felled by a clumsy challenge in the penalty-area as he was about to score, secondly he took no action when Pannal's last defender stopped a through ball reaching Hoyle by palming the ball away with his hands. A free-kick was hardly justice for blatant misconduct. Finally, to compound matters, the unfortunate official then failed to award a goal to Ilkley when Bloom's header was cleared from inside the goal net by full-back Darvill.

Blowing for full-time seconds after this incident enhanced the sense of injustice amongst Ilkley players.

Once again, a poor start to the game cost Ilkley points though credit must go to the players for the battling display to get back into the game.

If only such resolve could begin in the first minute the team would be flying even higher.

l On Saturday Ilkley travel to Spa Athletic (Kick-off 2pm) and players should meet at the swimming pool at 12.30pm.