Silsden 1, FC United 3: Runaway leaders FC United increased their advantage at the top of the North West Counties League Division One to 11 points with this impressive win.

The prolific Stuart Rudd struck his 39th goal of the season with a rasping drive midway through the first-half to hand the Rebel Reds the lead.

Strike partner Rory Patterson added an equally impressive second for United, who have two games in hand on their closest rivals Salford City, just before the break, as Karl Marginson's side looked well in control.

But the West Yorkshire outfit hit back after the restart when Mark Bentham hit a spectacular 40 yard lob to shock the breakaway club.

However, it was all United after that and but for a series of fantastic saves from the Silsden goalkeeper Mark Fowlger they would have stretched their lead further.

As it was, it needed Patterson's deflected second to seal the points and strengthen FC's grip on the title.