Reusch Division One Cup second round north: Holker Old Boys 3 Silsden 1

DANNY Forrest’s first game as Silsden manager should have resulted in his team progressing comfortably into the third round but Old Boys keeper Jaroslaw Bitner had other ideas.

He made a string of fine saves to deny the Cobbydalers.

Before the game Forrest highlighted that his main priority would be to tighten up the defence. The manager wasn’t helped by the loss of Lewis Morgan (illness) and the fact that he was starting with a new back four.

Silsden, who have had only one clean sheet this season, were soon two down, the damage being done by left winger John Stanway.

He opened the scoring on ten minutes, having cut inside Matty Moses before beating Callum Jakovlevs at the near post. At the other end, Bitner saved from Will Storrie, who had been put through by Josh McNulty.

The home side doubled their lead in the 13th minute, Stanway delivering the ball along the byline for Sam Lightfoot to scramble it home.

With the low winter sun making it difficult for players to see, Josh Eastwood had a free-kick deflected to the keeper and Connor Erangey fired over the bar.

Dave Swarbrick missed a good chance at the other end, before Leon Smith broke onto a through ball from McNulty, but shot over with the keeper beaten.

Silsden began to dominate possession as Erangey shot over, Bitner saved well at his near post from Smith and Storrie went close.

Holker's keeper continued to thwart the visitors after the break, parrying a shot from Smith and saving a low drive from McNulty.

Nicky McNally, who came on for the out-of-sorts Ross Wilson, was denied by the excellent Philip Coombe. Pushing forwards, Silsden began to leave gaps at the back and Holker exploited the space with a long ball to Lightfoot. The forward was upended by Jacovlevs and Swarbrick netted the spot kick. His last goal against the Cobbydalers came 12 years ago at Cougar Park in a thrilling FA Cup replay in front of 525 fans.

Silsden refused to give in as Smith saw his shot rebound off the near post. Bitner pushed McNally's shot for a corner and the sub should have netted when he latched onto a misplaced back pass but Bitner sliced the ball clear.

Fellow sub Danny Riley was unlucky to find the keeper when he swivelled and hit a powerful volley before he set up a chance for McNally, who sliced his effort wide.

McNally broke through twice more, only to be halted again by the keeper. On another day he might have had a hat-trick.

Garnett nodded a cross into the path of Riley, who notched a consolation in the last minute.

Forrest was philosophical about the defeat but the quicker he can tighten up the defence the better.

The Cobbydalers host Armthorpe Miners Welfare in the West Riding County FA Cup tomorrow night. The winners have a mouth-watering tie at The Shay to play Halifax Town.

SILSDEN: Jakovlevs, Moses, Paraskeva, Kaine, Jacomb, Erangey, Storrie (Garnett 72), Eastwood, Smith, McNulty (Riley 72), Wilson (McNally 67).