HIGH-FLYING Silsden suffered a damaging 3-0 home defeat to Runcorn Town, as the top two in the Hallmark Security League Premier Division began to pull clear.

The third placed Cobbydalers welcomed second placed Runcorn just days after hosting leaders City of Liverpool. Danny Forrest’s men had held the Merseysiders to a 1-1 draw but they were hammered on this occasion.

The goalless first half had been even and well-contested with Kyle Hancock in particularly good form for Silsden, but the visitors took a 52nd minute lead through Dale Jennings and didn’t look back.

Ryan Cox doubled Runcorn’s lead and Harry Brazel confirmed the result with a third in the 77th minute.

To add to Silsden’s misery, they had Dan Illingworth sent off in stoppage time for a second yellow card. Silsden stay third but they now trail Runcorn by five points, with City of Liverpool a further point ahead.

Neighbours Steeton exited the Division One Cup as they slipped to a second defeat this season against Bacup Borough.

The Lancashire outfit had beaten the Chevrons 5-1 in the league and though this Roses cup tie was closer, the outcome was still the same, with Roy Mason's side losing 2-1.

'Boro led at the break after Michael Gervin’s 11th minute opener and they doubled their advantage midway through the second half through Matthew Dell.

The Chevrons grabbed a late goal when Stephen Pearson netted in the 82nd minute, but it proved to be little more than a consolation.