Ilkley 4 Sandy Lane 2

A welcome return to winning ways for Ilkley against opponents who were unbeaten in six games and showed determination to come from behind twice before Ilkley claimed the points.

This was an important victory and a better performance by Ilkley who struggled for confidence and cohesion in the first-half but dominated the second and might have scored more goals as Lane found it difficult to maintain possession and tired.

Ilkley were pleased to have Nick Quaife and Jim Hannaford back and it was Quaife who got Ilkley off to a great start after eight minutes.

Damian Smith and Ian Briggs combined well and Briggs was tripped as he prepared to shoot. Up stepped Quaife to bend the ball round the defensive wall and beyond the despairing dive of Baguley.

Ilkley pressed forward and almost paid the price when a long punt forward floated beyond Andy Bloom and Graham Richardson and Jackson should have hit the target. A let-off for Ilkley who then were tested by three successive corners and thankfully the defensive marking was an improvement on previous weeks.

Goalkeeper Wilkinson was alert to palm clear a looping header and handled a low shot safely before Ilkley gifted Lane an equaliser. Martin Taylor stuck out his leg to divert Waite's cross over the head of Wilkinson into the Ilkley net.

An unfortunate episode for a player who has been outstanding in previous games and yet another slice of misfortune for Ilkley.

Without ever looking at ease against opponents who were quick to the challenge and also tried to pass the ball on a slippery surface, Quaife and Briggs began to claim midfield and Ilkley looked more likely to add to the scoreline. Mark Houlston swivelled to volley straight at Baguley, Briggs shot wide and then Stockdale was pushed from behind infront of an open goal. The referee must have been unsighted as a goal kick was awarded.

Ilkley took the lead in the next attack when Damian Smith's inswinging corner was glanced into the net by Nick Smith who collided with the post as reward for his determination.

A 2-1 half-time lead was just about deserved and with the advantage of the breeze, Ilkley dominated the first 15 minutes of the second-half with Jim Hannaford creating difficulties for Lane with his close control. A quick exchange of passes set Smith racing behind the full-back and Houlston stole a yard on his marker to reach Smith's cross only to see Baguley clutch the ball on his line.

Some shoddy defending gifted an equaliser to Lane. Thankfully, this was cancelled two minutes later when Briggs drilled a crisp low shot into the net. Ilkley added a fourth when Man-of-the-match Nick Smith poked the ball into the net.

l On Saturday Ilkley travel to Altofts, players meet at the swimming pool at 12.30pm. The Reserves host Hartshead at Ilkley GS fields, players meet at 1.15pm.