Winsford United 1 Silsden 1

AFTER their heavy defeat at the hands of Atherton Collieries, the Cobbydalers steadied the ship with a point to move out of the relegation zone.

They were pleased to welcome back keeper Danny Thorpe and striker Wayne Morrison, although centre back Elliott Firth was missing, with new recruit Luke McCrum taking his place.

Boss Ryan Haigh was hoping for a solid start but Silsden almost conceded in the opening minute when James Rothwell's curling free-kick just cleared the far post. They did concede after six minutes when a similar free-kick was slotted home by Sam Cook.

Silsden almost equalised immediately when Charlie Collinge hit a ball out wide to Nicky McNally, who hit a cross into the box but Morrison saw his powerful header go just wide.

Chris Wademan looked to have broken through on 20 minutes but David Davies prevented him from shooting with an excellent tackle, before Collinge shot wide having been set up McNally, who had latched onto a through ball from Ollie Hunter.

The Blues leading scorer Kyle Riley blasted an effort over the bar and Ryan Hibbert saw his volley blocked just before the break.

In the opening minute of the second half, Winsford's Ryan Mellor sprinted past the defence only to clear the bar with his effort.

Gradually the Cobbydalers grew in confidence and almost equalised on 65 minutes when Collinge broke though, only to be denied by an excellent save from Dale Latham.

Just three minutes later, the Cobbydalers were level. McNally swung over a corner which the Blues defence failed to clear and Kevin Ryan scored from close range.

Winsford brought on two substitutes to add to their attack but the Cobbydalers only had one more scare which Ryan was able to clear.

Silsden had a good chance to snatch a winner right at the end when Wademan fed Collinge but he was again denied by Davies.

Haigh was pleased with the point and said: “After Monday's defeat (7-2 at Atherton) it was important to steady the ship and we did climb out of the bottom three, albeit on goal difference.

“We still have a long injury list but the lads battled hard and McCrum gave us another option.

“There are some things to work on in training this week and hopefully pitch will recover for our home game against AFC Blackpool in the Men United League Cup next Saturday.”

SILSDEN: Thorpe, Brooks, Scott, Mitchell, McCrum, Ryan, Hunter (McNulty 88), Collinge, Morrison, Wademan, McNally.