West Yorkshire League Premier Division: Sherburn White Rose 1 Ilkley Town 7

ILKLEY received a major boost in their battle to stay in the top flight with their surprising 7-1 win at seventh-placed Sherburn.

The home team helped fourth-from-bottom Town by having Alex Booth red carded but an excellent performance, led by Tim Edney and Harry Higgins, brought Ilkley all three points.

Goals from Dan Chadwick, Adam Davey, Adam Fowler, Harry Higgins, Lee Spiers (2) and substitute Rich Schofield destroyed ten-man Sherburn, and Ilkley could afford to miss a penalty as well.

West Yorkshire League Alliance Division Two: Ilkley Town Reserves 4 Howden Clough Reserves 2

ILKLEY Town Reserves also picked up a welcome and deserved victory at Ben Rhydding, beating Howden Clough's second team 4-2.

After a cagey start, Ilkley took command midway through the first half with a good team move finished off by Dan Pickles, quickly followed up by Ali Adams, who reacted when the visiting keeper spilled a shot along the ground.

Chris Morris was next to find the net and Ilkley were cruising at 3-0 before Clough pulled two back before the break to make Ilkley nervous.

In the scramble that lead to the visitors' first goal, home keeper Alex Wormall took a blow to the head which left him with blurred vision and meant he couldn't come out for the second half.

Adams settled the nerves with a good solo goal ten minutes into the second period, and Ilkley kept their opponents at bay, with makeshift keeper Duncan Brearley recording a clean sheet.

The return of the experienced Morris and Robbie Oldham steadied the Ilkley ship throughout the match.

Craven League Division Three: Cowling Reserves 1 Ilkley Town Academy 1

THE Academy were surprisingly held by lowly Cowling to a 1-1 draw, with Ross Smitheringale netting the Ilkley goal.

Ilkley remain in second place, three points behind Silsden Whitestar Reserves, but with a game in hand and a better goal difference.