SILSDEN lost further ground in the Northern Counties East League Premier Division promotion race last night, suffering a bruising 3-0 defeat at Hallam.

They remain just two points and two places outside of the play-offs, but the sides directly above them, Garforth Town and Frickley Athletic, both have a game in hand.

Hallam have also played a game less than the Cobbydalers, and moved just a point behind their visitors last night following an impressive win.

The Sheffield-based side hit the front after only two minutes, Nathan Cartman turning home a corner.

Harry Thompson struck a shot just wide as Silsden came close to equalising, but more sloppy defending from a set-piece allowed Daniel Burns to put Hallam 2-0 up after only a quarter of an hour.

Cobbydalers keeper Kyle Trennery had to tip away a cross that looked to be floating in, before Kayle Price was denied in a one-on-one with Hallam stopper Hugo Warhurst after a great flick on by Jake Cassidy.

Casey Stewart and Price then both had shots bravely blocked while Warhurst pulled off a sensational double save just before the break.

On the stroke of half-time, Price flicked on Liam Hudson’s volley, only for the ball to drop agonisingly past the post.

Trennery made a great save two minutes after the interval, after Hallam got in from a long ball over the top, but he was beaten soon after.

As Silsden appealed for a foul on Lewis Gardner, which soon forced the youngster off injured, the referee waved play on, and Hallam ran through to score courtesy of Calum Ward.

Price had another shot blocked, Cassidy’s long-range effort floated just wide, then Reece Webb-Foster’s free-kick just cleared the crossbar, as Silsden desperately pushed for a goal back.

But Trennery had to be at his best to keep out a free-kick from former Sheffield Wednesday man Daniel Pudil with 15 minutes to go.

And it was a buoyant Hallam who ended the stronger of the two sides, with Stewart’s goal line clearance in second-half stoppage-time denying the hosts a fourth goal.

Silsden will attempt to bounce back from a bad night at the office this Saturday, when they host ninth-placed Handsworth.