Ilkley Town 1 Otley Town 3

OTLEY Town pulled off a huge upset when they sent favourites Ilkley Town crashing out of the competition.

The West Yorkshire League Division Two side showed grit and determination to defeat their Premier Division opponents.

Ilkley went on the attack immediately and almost took the lead after three minutes when Dave Hancock cut into the box off the left wing. His shot was parried to Toby Harris who poked it just wide.

The pair linked up again minutes later when Harris volleyed Hancock’s cross wide of the post.

Otley eventually grew into the contest and took the lead in the 19th minute, when Callan Wells scrambled the ball into the net from a free kick.

Ilkley began pushing for an equaliser and after 23 minutes almost had it, when the Otley defence cleared off their line following a goalmouth scramble.

Harry Higgins then sliced a header wide from a Dan Chadwick corner moments later.

Otley were under heavy pressure, when Harris’ cross narrowly flashed past the boot of Jordan Boxhall-James.

The same player also missed a golden chance to level, when Hancock’s cross fell to his feet 12 yards out, but unmarked he struck high and wide.

Ilkley finally their equaliser on the stroke of half-time when Harris was hacked down on the edge of the box for a penalty. The forward stepped up himself and netted from the spot.

Otley came out after the break looking for revenge and they got it after 63 minutes, as Peter Long flicked the ball on to Richard Parry who drilled it under James Hirst.

The hosts began to lose their shape and composure in a desperate search of the equaliser.

Matty Whitehead almost levelled in the 81st minute as he burst down the right wing, before flashing the ball across the face of the goal.

Town thought they had their second after 86 minutes when Robin Layton’s strike was tipped against the bar by the Otley keeper.

Otley settled the tie in the 90th minute, when Robert Neesam looped a header over Hirst to make it 3-1