Guiseley 2

Leek 1

A battling performance earned Guiseley a justified win in a very tight contest as they gained another three points from Leek Town to keep their outside chance of a play-off spot alive.

The visitors were industrious and inventive but Guiseley matched them and came from a goal down to claim their maximum.

The team spirit of the home side was evident as they celebrated en masse at the final whistle.

"It was hard but we got there in the end. There were two good sides in the game and we probably just did enough," admitted Guiseley boss Neil Parsley.

"When games are that close it comes down to who wants it most. I think our attitude was excellent. It certainly helped getting the equaliser when we did, just before half-time. It was very important.

"Once again it was a show of good defending, both sides did that. There were few real chances in the game. It was strange that we had such a good start but conceded in the fourth minute. After that John Lamb had little to do, but then we didn't overwork their keeper either.

"I don't know what kind of a game it was to watch but the vital thing is that we are now 11 games unbeaten, we have another win and we have the outside hope of getting the last play-off place."

He need not have concerned himself with the view from the terraces with the

teams dishing up an entertaining matinee. From the neutrals' point of view the

home side did enough to expect all three points.

When Guiseley were forced back for the first time and Lee Connor cleared the ball for a corner there was no suggestion it would be costly. However, Adam Yates delivered a testing flag-kick and David Whittaker converted with a glancing header.

Minutes later the home side created one of their sparse openings. Nathan Hay's ball into the area was knocked down only as far as Simon Parke. His shot was blocked and Jeremy Illingworth leapt to flick a half-volley that shaved the crossbar.

The leveller came when Guiseley forced a corner just a little over three minutes from the interval.

Mark Stuart's excellent ball in was headed high into the net by Parke after he had slipped his marker.

It was another dead ball from former Bantam Stuart that led to the winner.

The ball was headed back from the far side of the area and Parke's goalward header was tipped onto the face of the bar with centre back Connor lunging to stab the ball home from close range.