Ilkley Town 1 Leeds City 2

IT is now four West Yorkshire League Premier Division games without a win for lowly Ilkley Town.

The visitors began the better of the two teams and Ilkley goalkeeper James Hirst was forced to make a terrific block after just four minutes to deny Luke Norman, when the winger was through on goal.

Leeds City’s dominance was finally rewarded in the 29th minute. A lovely cross field pass found it’s way to Sean Fitzpatrick who then cut the ball back to Barrie Frankland and the striker had the simplest of finishes to put his team in front.

With half time approaching Ilkley had their best of chance of the game, Lee Spires found time and space to put a low cross into the box. However there was no one there to finish with the goal gaping and the ball was cleared for a corner.

Both sides began the second half strongly with Ilkley pressing for an equaliser and Leeds City wanting to put daylight between themselves and their opponents.

Ilkley almost equalised after 50 minutes, when Tim Edney headed over after a brilliant corner ball was played into the box.

Spires then had a long-range effort that went just wide of Jordan Higgins goal six minutes later.

However on 58 minutes Ilkley had a glorious chance to get themselves level.A free kick was floated into the penalty area, Higgins missed it with the ball going straight through his hands.

It then found its way to Edney, who then somehow missed from one yard with his effort going over the bar.

Leeds City made it 2-0 with a swift 73rd minute counter attack led by Fitzpatrick and finished off by Frankland.

Ilkley pressed to get a consolation and striker Adam Fowler hit the bar from a corner.

They were finally rewarded for their efforts in the final minute. Neat play between Fowler and substitute Dan Pickles, allowed the winger to have time and space to slot the ball past Higgins.

Despite Ilkley pressing for a equaliser, the visitors managed hang on and to claim three vital points to keep in touch with leaders Carlton Athletic and leaving Ilkley much work to do to secure survival.