SILSDEN came within moments of qualifying for the Emirates FA Cup first qualifying round on Saturday, but they had to settle for a replay in the end.
They went 1-0 up at home to visiting Ramsbottom United and held that advantage deep into second-half stoppage-time, only to concede a last-gasp equaliser.
The two sides will meet again tonight at Ramsbottom to do it all again, with the winner of the replay to host Bootle in the next round.
Both sides had half-chances early on, but it was Silsden who hit the front after 15 minutes.
Jake Cassidy slipped a killer pass through to Kayle Price, with the home striker holding his nerve to round Ramsbottom keeper Brad Rose and slot the ball into the net.
Silsden skipper Harry Coates then saw his header cleared off the line, while Price, Cody Cromack and Isaac Robinson all came close before half-time.
The latter gave Rose an easy save to make early in the second half, and it was not until the final 15 minutes that the game really caught fire.
Toby Jeffrey’s long-range effort flew over the bar, while at the other end, Luke Barlow poked a good chance wide.
Cassidy headed over from a brilliant deep cross from Jeffrey, but Price had an even better chance, only to blaze his effort over after Cromack fed him in behind.
Ramsbottom tried to make the most of those late reprieves and Matt Dudley thought he had equalised, but his shot, which was destined for the back of the net, got deflected just wide by a defender.
But Dudley was not to be denied, as he met Terry Cummings’ devilish cross at the death, glancing a header past keeper Tommy Brown and into the net to break Silsden hearts.
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