Ashton Athletic 2, Silsden 2

A LATE Craig Nicholls strike salvaged a North West Counties League point for Silsden from their Premier Division trip to Ashton Athletic and it was the least they deserved.

The home side had dominated the first half with some eye-pleasing, free-flowing football but the Cobbydalers bounced back well.

Ashton took the lead on the quarter-hour mark as Mike Downing timed his run to meet a superbly-weighted through-ball before slotting past Silsden keeper Danny Thorpe.

But minutes later, against the run of play, the Cobbydalers were level when Nicholls netted his first of the day following good work by Zack Dale and Tom Henderson.

Parity lasted less than three minutes as the hosts, who were enjoying lengthy spells on top, retook the lead in the 23rd minute.

Thorpe made a fine diving save but, from the resulting corner, Ashton skipper Ian Rowlands powered in a header.

Ryan Small and Downing should both have added to the lead before the break and their misses proved costly as the Cobbydalers came out a different side.

Andy Hill fired over after a wonderful move and Dale was denied a penalty after appearing to have been pushed over inside the area.

Silsden had to wait until the 85th minute to get their equaliser as Nicholls cut inside from the left and nipped between the two centre backs before drilling a shot into the bottom corner.