Ilkley Town 1 Old Headingley 6

A disastrous 15-minute spell midway through the first-half condemned Ilkley Town to an ignominious home defeat.

While the scoreline was harsh this was yet another reminder of how goals enhance confidence and conceding them undermines it.

Despite being without five regular first team players – including three from the back-four – Town started well.

Shots by Ross Hutchison and Danny Bott flew wide of the target after neat build-up play.

Goalkeeper Long dived bravely at Hutchison’s feet and then held his ground at the near-post as Damian Smith tried to slip the ball past him after a fine through pass from Bott.

It was Smith again who climbed well to glance a cross from Allen Hey inches over the bar before disaster struck in almost the first serious attack from Old Heading- ley after 25 minutes.

Centre-backs Darren Munday and Liam Blenkhorn had already been warned of Booth’s pace but allowed the striker to twist past them and side-foot the ball past James Hirst from 12-yards.

Five minutes later yet more indecision in the penalty-area allowed Booth to prod the ball in at the far-post, and Kempton then out-muscled James Winward and slipped the third goal past an onrushing Hurst.

Effectively it was game over for Ilkley as they trailed 3-0 at the break to opponents who played with greater confidence.

The second-half was a test of character for Ilkley and while the majority of the home side never stopped trying in difficult circumstances this was not the case for some.

As is often the case when one side has a clear lead, all of the fortune seemed to favour Old Headingley as every clearance, ricochet, or bounce fell for the visitors who added a fourth after a spell of Ilkley pressure.

Showing some defiance, Hey glanced a rare headed goal past Long from Bott’s in-swinging centre and then Danny Henderson raced clear but hit the legs of Long when a second Ilkley goal might have threatened Heading- ley’s new-found confidence.

Sadly, two further defensive lapses by Ilkley saw the visitor's canter to the finish line as comprehensive winners.

Ilkley need to pick themselves up quickly as they have to visit unbeaten league leaders Rothwell Town on Saturday.