Ilkley Town 2 Altofts 2

Ilkley went into the game having only taken one point from the last six available and were hoping to maintain their top three league position in West Yorkshire League Division One.

Unfortunately the first half won’t live long in the memory as Ilkley lacked confidence, didn’t move the ball with their usual assurance and struggled to create opportunities.

Altofts were marginally better and pressed Ilkley well, creating one clear opening, from a long throw in.

Town allowed the ball to bounce in the area and Altofts should have done better than smash their effort against the bar.

As the half drew to a close, looking increasingly like a stalemate, Ilkley produced one of their best passages of play, culminating in Danny Bott finding himself in enough space to place the ball past the Altofts keeper at his near post.

The second half saw a much improved Ilkley performance, and they were quick out of the blocks.

The ever-impressive Danny Bryan made a strong run down the left, crossed low for Damien Smith whose cheeky backheel found the net.

From here there looked like only one winner as Ilkley began to dominate the game, with clear-cut chances missed to increase their lead.

Unfortunately, like so often this season, the ball was lost on halfway, and play quickly forward by the Altofts midfield.

It looked as though the danger had been dealt with until the Altofts striker found half a yard of space to curl the ball into the left-hand corner of the net, Despite this setback, Ilkley still looked good enough to take all three points and possibly increase their lead.

Unfortunately disaster struck as the ball was again given away cheaply by Ilkley.

Tackles were missed, and as the ball bounced towards James Hirst it looked like Ilkley would clear the danger, until the keeper didn’t make clean contact with the ball and Altofts equalised.

Once again Ilkley had to share the points in a game they really should have won. On Saturday they travel to league leaders Robin Hood Athletic.