AFC Mansfield secured a hard-fought victory over Silsden, whilst extending their unbeaten run to four.
The Bulls have faced a few injury problems as of recently, with the likes of Ross Duggan, Tom Slone and Klarke Greenham, but the latter returned this afternoon.
AFC Mansfield: Revuelta; McKenna, Cropper, D’Laryea, Rajter, Sketchley, Mays (Hobson, 77), Batty, Karkach (Pipes, 74), Walker, Greenham (Gibb, 32)
Subs not used: Buxton
Phil Buxton’s side got off to an ideal start just three minutes in, as a hopeful long ball disarranged the Silsden defence and amongst the confusion, Luke Walker snuck in behind before producing a composed finish to grant the Bulls the lead.
Silsden looked to immediately respond via Jack Normanton, as he weaved between two men before firing an effort narrowly wide of Adam Revuelta’s goal.
Normanton continued to be a nuisance, as he snuck in behind the Bulls defence and saw his low strike rattle the post before being scrambled clear of danger.
AFC were keen to double their lead through Walker, as Jake Batty lifted a free-kick onto the striker’s head, but he could only glance his header over the bar.
Revuelta was called into action as Josh Bradshaw found his way in behind the Bulls defence, but the goalkeeper made himself big to parry Bradshaw’s powerful effort.
Heading into the second half, chances were rare for both sides, but none would be as big as Walker’s second opportunity to grab his brace. The forward dispossessed the defender before racing through on goal, but Walker could only bend his shot wide of the goal.
Bradshaw acted keen to get his side back into the contest, as he saw two shots smothered by Revuelta confidently.
But as AFC defended heroically, the referee brought the clash to a conclusion with the three points heading back to Mansfield with the Bulls, who are next in action on Tuesday night for the rearranges fixture with Knaresborough Town.