ILKLEY took four points in their battle to stay in the West Yorkshire League Premier Division over the past week.

Last Wednesday they produced probably their best performance of the season with a 2-0 win away to second-placed Leeds City.

The goals were scored by man of the match Adam Fowler and skipper Danny Bott.

On Saturday Lee Spires’ 88th minute goal earned an important point at home to Beeston St Anthony's.

It extended their unbeaten run to six games, and it was all the more impressive considering the absence of several first team players.

It was these absences which caused joint first team manager Greg Beswick to name himself on the bench, alongside former first team manager Simon Armstrong.

Daniel Keating and Jimmy Hannaford completed what was dubbed the “legends bench”.

Ilkley took the lead after just three minutes when a Spires corner found Fowler. The centre forward controlled his header superbly, to loop the ball over keeper Stevie Kerr.

Spires almost doubled Town’s lead minutes later when his curling effort struck the post.

Beeston equalised in the 24th minute as James Allan drove his header past James Hirst.

The visitors ten went ahead when Ryan Bailey’s low cross found the feet of Sean Jeavons in the box who slotted home.

Just before half-time the match started to turn ugly. Spires and Paul McMullen both saw yellow after a confrontation, followed by Ilkley captain Danny Bott for a sliding tackle on Joe Hill.

Hirst was unable to continue for the second half with a leg injury, meaning Harry Higgins too over in goal.

Beeston went close to a third goal just after half-time. Allan’s shot was well saved by Higgins before Darren Munday followed up with an excellent goal-line block to keep Town in the game.

Town grabbed the late equaliser when Spires’ free kick fell perfectly to the feet of Bott who netted from close range.