Guiseley 4, Wakefield & Emley 1

GUISELEY came off the back of four successive league defeats to notch victory in the UniBond League Cup on Tuesday night.

Their visitors were Premier Division side Wakefield and Emley but on this display the former FA Cup giantkillers are a threat to no one.

The first-half looked what it was - a weary game between two off form sides. Emley - I can't quite get used to calling them Wakefield - netted in the early stages and it looked like another grim night for the Guiseley faithful - down to around 90 for this encounter.

After Saturday's display against Hyde there did not need to be much of a counter attraction to keep the spectators away.

But true to form - the stayaways miss all the fun. Guiseley suddenly sparked into life and although they could have had a hatfull of goals they settled for the four that took them to a comfortable win in the end.

Stand-in manager Clive Freeman opted to give Gary Birchall - converted to a centre-back in the Reserves - a run in the centre of defence and he had a solid game but perhaps more critically Freeman chose to rest Scott Jackson and inject the pace of David Cooke up front.

Although Cooke will still be red-faced by the sitter he missed he provided a vital all round contribution as Guiseley stepped up their game against a tired and lack lustre looking Emley.

Jeremy Illingworth pulled Guiseley level and then in the second-half Guiseley were kick started into action with a goal from the all action Richard Chattoe.

As Emley started to be punished for their over the mark play with yellow cards Guiseley came into the ascendancy and a Dave Henry brace sealed what was at the end of the day a good win.

Guiseley 0, Hyde United 1

Displaying all the characteristics of a team in freefall Guiseley fell to their fifth consecutive league defeat - all by a one goal margin - when they entertained Hyde United on Saturday.

With manager Neil Parsley in Tenerife assistant manager Clive Freeman decided to rejig the back four by dropping Gary Shaw to the bench, moving Nathan Hay to partner captain James Nettleton at the centre of the defence and restoring Peter Atkinson at right-back with Peter Sumner moving over to to left-back.

This all came to nothing for midway through the first-half Nathan Hay limped off injured to be replaced by Shaw.

Mark Stuart went closest to scoring for Guiseley but his looping header from Stewart Airdrie's cross landed on top of the net.

This proved to be the home side's only worthwhile effort in a poor first- half that ended with Hyde netting on the stroke of half-time when Anthony Wright's effort went on off the post.

Although Guiseley started the second- half in more determined fashion they could not find any spark. The out of sorts Scott Jackson was replaced by David Cooke and then Andy Shuttleworth was also thrown into the action. Only then did Guiseley come alive with Cooke getting the ball into the box and Shuttleworth causing consternation in the Hyde six yard area as two shots were blocked in quick succession.

Guiseley seem to be lacking inspiration and they have plummeted alarmingly down the league table from second to 15th position in just a month.

Bishop Auckland 1, Guiseley 0

Bishops ground out a 1-0 win against a very competitive Guiseley side in mid-week. Guiseley were in the ascendancy from the start and worked the Bishops defence in the opening minutes.

Against the run of play after Scott Jackson has headed over and Mark Stuart has shot over the bar, Steve Manson gave Bishops the lead on 18 minutes. A long clearance from Duncan was allowed to bounce, and Manson shook his defender to lob 'keeper John Lamb from 20 yards.

Bishops survived a scare later in the half when a cross from the right eluded two Guiseley forwards on the edge of the six yard box, and West also made a last ditch tackle to salvage another dangerous situation.

Guiseley had other chances notably when Dave Henry put his effort wide and when Mark Stuart had a shot blocked, recovered the ball and was then felled but no penalty was awarded.

Guiseley were reduced to ten men on 50 minutes when the already yellow carded Scott Jackson was alleged to have floored West but many felt the decision could have gone the other way.

Bishops found more space on the attack but created few real chances and Guiseley continued to look dangerous despite their short numbers.

Mark Stuart, Peter Sumner, Dave Henry, Jeremy Illingworth, James Nettleton and David Cooke all had chances but to no avail.

The final whistle was welcomed by the home support with the win lifting them back to fourth in the table whilst Guiseley slumped further down the table.

l On Saturday Guiseley travel to Kidsgrove for a league game.