Rothwell FC 3 Ilkley Town 1

Unbeaten league leaders Rothwell FC were given a mighty scare by an Ilkley Town side that was without eight regulars.

It was to their credit that they played with determination and tenacity as they helped banish the memory of last week’s limp surrender to Old headingley.

Ilkley fashioned out chances throughout that might have changed the complexion of the game.

On an unseasonably warm and blustery afternoon, confusion over playing colours saw Ilkley players don training bibs to avoid a clash with their opponents.

Rothwell made a sprightly start forcing James Hirst to make two fine reaction saves from prolific strikers Bullock and Moore.

Competing for possession all over the pitch, Ilkley forced Rothwell into hitting long balls into channels where full-backs James Winward and Dave Hancock coped well.

Having weathered the opening 15-minute storm, Ilkley hit back. Damian Smith drove a cross-shot just beyond the far-post following a surging run into the penalty-area .

Minutes later a curling cross by Allen Hey found Ross Hutchison who headed inches wide of the far-post.

A volley by Hutchison was blocked by a desperate lunge and then Danny Bott drilled a shot wide of the target after a superb flick by Chris Mynett.

With the home side on the back-foot and becoming increasingly fractious, Ilkley conceded the lead after 30 minutes when a Bott pass was intercepted and Moore side-footed past Hirst from 15-yards.

Undeterred and still showing excellent determination and teamwork, Ilkley had two legitimate claims for penalties denied and continued to cause problems for the home side.

Ilkley went two behind on the hour when a deflection at the near-post diverted the ball away from Munday and it fell kindly for Robinson to head in from close-range at the far-post.

The loss of Alan Stockdale after 70 minutes allowed Matt Hawkes to join the fray and the youngster produced two fine low crosses in the final minutes that just required a touch.

Sadly by this time, Ilkley had conceded a third goal when Murgatroyd intercepted Hutchi- son's pass and dinked the ball over Hirst as he entered the penalty-area.

In the 80th minute a Danny Bott free-kick thundered past McCarthy to make the score 3-1.

On Saturday Ilkley Town are away at Horbury Town (KO 2.30pm).