A 90TH minute equaliser denied Ilkley Town a win in a tight 1-1 draw against Whitkirk Wanderers on Saturday.

Both sides came up against a ferocious wind in the match at Whitkirk Sport and Social Club, but it was the home side who started brighter.

They came close to going ahead 12 minutes in as Ashley Bell's effort beat Ilkley keeper Tim Edney, but fortunately Darren Munday was on hand to clear off the line.

Edney soon provided his own heroics, reading Bell's wind-assisted 20-yard strike to perfection to punch over the bar.

Whitkirk continued to look dangerous throughout the first half but struggled to fashion a clear-cut opportunity.

Ilkley regrouped at the interval and went ahead on the 49th minute as Matty Whitehead played in Toby Harris who provided a neat finish past Paul Diamond for his fifth goal in two games.

The visitors let opportunities to secure the points pass them by as Whitkirk grew ever-more dangerous.

The reward for their pressure eventually arrived on the 90th minute mark as Akeel Francis sent a ferocious side-footed effort hurtling past Edney into the top corner.

Ilkley manager Simon Armstrong believes the two week gap before Ilkley's next fixture will help the side to recover from the disappointment.

He said: "We have a break for two weeks now so that's enough time to get it out of our system, re-focus and move forward.

"It was disappointing to concede so late, but they have a great striker who had literally one chance and he put it in the top corner.

"In the second half we were much better on the ball and should have netted a few more. That's the challenge for us, when we are on top killing the game and being more clinical."

Harry Brown made his Ilkley debut as a half-time sub having joined from Knaresborough Town. He was pleased with his first outing in Ilkley colours and looks forward to what the team can achieve.

"The first half was a very scrappy period, so I knew I could come on and make a difference with the ball at my feet," he said.

"I came to Ilkley because I know Simon really well and how I can fit into his tactical style. He told me that it's a good group of lads here who really want to push on, so it's a good situation for me to come into.

"I want to help Ilkley take the next step. Simon has spoken to me about the plans the club have and I can see us pushing on in the next few years perhaps to the Northern Counties League, and hopefully I can be a big part of that."