THERE was a truncated programme of non-league football action on Saturday, with the weather putting paid to most of the games for our sides.

The biggest casualty was poor Eccleshill United, whose huge FA Vase fourth round home clash against AFC Liverpool was called off due to a waterlogged pitch at the Mitton Group Stadium.

Luckily they do not have too long to wait to get that tie on, as it will now be played this coming Saturday instead.

With Thackley and Campion having their Northern Counties East League games postponed, and Albion Sports not scheduled to play, it was Silsden who were left to fly the flag.

But their NCEL Premier Division promotion dreams suffered a dent as they were beaten 1-0 at mid-table Knaresborough Town.

Silsden dominated the early stages, Sumaili Cissa hitting the post and Talent Ndlovu diverting an Ellis Hudson free-kick just wide.

There was a triple chance for the Cobbydalers after 18 minutes, with Lewis Gardner's shot saved and Joe Crosby seeing the rebound blocked, before Hudson fired the loose ball over the crossbar.

Silsden goalkeeper Sam Kelly was forced into action for the first time when his opposite number's long clearance took a wicked bounce and almost went straight in.

But though Kelly avoided any embarrassment then, he was left red-faced moments later.

In the swirling wind, he spilled a corner, with the ball dropping for Knaresborough's Philip Milson to tap home.

Carlton Pownall's superb block stopped the hosts from doubling their lead, before Hudson bent a free-kick inches off target.

In a quiet second half, Silsden went close with 15 minutes to go, as Ndlovu sent a long-range effort just wide.

There were two late chances for Cobbydalers substitute Alex Stewart, but he was unable to put either of them on target.

The defeat leaves Silsden six points off second place, the sole promotion play-off place, though they still have a game in hand on the team currently occupying that spot, Winterton Rangers.

Brighouse Town's Northern Premier League East Division game at Shildon was called off just before kick-off after the referee deemed areas of the pitch unplayable due to the bad weather.

That was no doubt frustrating for Brig, with Liversedge also probably not best pleased to see their NPL Premier Division fixture at Atherton Collieries called off.

Jonathan Rimmington's Sedge side now have several games in hand, but they need points on the board, as they sit 10 points off safety.

Their division rivals Guiseley have no such problems, with their relegation worries now a distant memory after five victories in their last six games.

On a day which saw the Lions' former New Zealand international Shane Smeltz make his debut, his new side grabbed a superb 1-0 home win over leaders South Shields thanks to a late Lewis Whitham penalty.

Finally, Farsley Celtic put their National League North relegation battle to one side with a thumping 7-1 home win over Marske United in the FA Trophy fourth round.

Bobby Johnson, Isaac Assenso, Andy Butler and Dave Syers put the Celts 4-0 up at half-time, while a Jimmy Spencer brace and a goal from Bradford City loanee Kian Scales made it a wonderful afternoon for the hosts.

The reward for that seven-goal salvo is a last-16 tie at Hungerford Town, after the draw was made for that this afternoon.