Ilkley Town 1 Wetherby Athletic 0

IT took Ilkley until the 86th minute to record a 1-0 home win over bottom of the table Wetherby Athletic.

Adam Fowler was their match winner slotting the ball home after being left unmarked to meet a low cross from Daniel Henderson.

Joiunt manager Greg Beswick was relieved to collect the three points. He said: “In the first half we didn’t play particularly well but at half time we addressed it and we were a lot better in the second half.

“You do start to wonder is it your day especially when you have created chances the way we have in the second half."

He added: “Credit to Wetherby as they have been a really tough test, very difficult to break down and they’ve also had a couple of chances themselves in the first half when we probably weren’t at the races.”

Ilkley’s defensive solidarity was a particular highlight Beswick said: “I think it’s massive credit to the whole team, but primarily it’s the back four and the keeper who have got to take the credit."

In a first half of few chances, Ilkley looked the stronger team. Jack Murray proved a constant threat to the Wetherby defence and nearly opened the scoring on the 34th minute.

After an excellent solo run he cut in from the left flank and his shot from 18 yards took a slight deflection but not enough to beat Michael Recchia in goal.

Murray went close again just before half-time, rising to meet Joe Hendrie’s cross into the box from the right flank, but his header looped over the bar.

A much more lively Ilkley emerged for the second half and they should have taken the lead in the 55th minute. Murray picked up the ball from his own half and his neat through pass put Henderson one on one with the keeper, but the striker sliced his shot wide from close range.

Fowler scuffed a half volley wide in the 65th minute while Dan Chadwick was unlucky not to score minutes later. A defensive clearance from a corner fell perfectly for him but his volley cannoned off the crossbar.

Shots from Henderson and Fowler forced excellent fingertip saves from Recchia before Fowler eventually got the winning goal.