Ilkley Town 1 Stanley 2

TOWN lost ground in the Division One promotion race as they slipped to their third defeat of the season at Ben Rhydding on Saturday.

Morning rain has created a slick surface which Town hoped would suit their passing game against their fourth-placed opponents.

Ilkley had an early chance when they worked the ball down the left and delivered the ball to the far post where Andy Bloom met the ball on the volley. His shot lacked direction and he injured himself in the process which meant he had to be replaced by substitute Ryan Dunne as Ilkley were forced to reshuffle their side.

Ilkley had the lion's share of possession but they lacked the precision in the final third to make it count. Stanley on the other hand were slowly growing into the game with their two strikers posing problems.

Stanley switched the play intelligently on a number of occasions in an attempt to catch out Ilkley's back four but the defence stood up to the test.

Ilkley's Adam Fowler had two clear-cut opportunities to take the lead early in the second half. The first was from a set piece which somehow made its way to the back post. Fowler stretched and made a decent contact on the ball only to see the full back clear his effort off the line.

His second opportunity arrived minutes later when he received the ball, turned his man and drove for goal only to see his effort hit a post with the goalkeeper stranded.

Ilkley could be forgiven for thinking it wasn't going to be their day when they fell behind minutes later. James Hirst saved the initial rebound but couldn't prevent Stanley from scoring from the rebound.

Ilkley fell further behind five minutes later when sloppy play saw possession turned over in midfield. Again Ilkley reacted slowly and the Stanley took full advantage.

Ilkley, not for the first time this season, faced a test of character. Thankfully they remained positive and tried to find a way back into the game.

In the 87th minute they pulled a goal back when Darren Munday stooped low to head home Gareth Pickup's cross.

Unfortunately it was too little, too late for the home side as they slumped to their third defeat of the season and lost ground on the top teams in the league.

Dave Hancock gave a strong display an was Town's man of the match.

Ilkley face holders Pool in the quarter-finals of the Wharfedale & District FA Cup at Ben Rhydding.