Prescot Cables 1, Guiseley 0

GUISELEY fell to another narrow defeat when they visited league newcomers Prescot Cables on Saturday.

They succumbed to a 56th minute penalty after having an early strike by Scott Jackson disallowed although everyone behind the goal protested the ball was well over the line.

This narrow defeat at Valerie Park came after Guiseley had, as in recent league encounters, dom

inated the match for long periods, missed a bag full of chances and then conceded a needless penalty.

The much maligned Jackson was the star of the game taking up some intelligent positions whilst running himself into the ground but all too often he lacked the support of someone to finish off the opening that he created.

So far this season Jackson has been partnered by Andy Shuttleworth, Dave Henry, Stewart Airdrie and David Cooke; all midfielders.

The only dedicated strike partner he has had has been the on-loan Iain Dunn. With rookie policeman Ryan Senior continuing to be absent after a stunning hat-trick appearance in the FA Cup game at Crook Town and Alex Nesovic now plying his trade with Campion in the West Riding County Amateur League, after spells with Derry City and Scarborough, there is an urgent need for new striking talent to finish off Guiseley's possession.

Prescot were played off the park for much of the match by Guiseley's fluent football.

Guiseley could so easily have gone ahead early in the game if the referee's assistant had kept up with play.

Jackson shot on the turn, the ball hit the underside of the bar and bounced a foot behind the goaline but the effort was disallowed by the referee's assistant who was not up with play.

Jackson was then involved in a sweeping move that ended with Mark Stuart shooting inches wide. Stewart Airdrie then repeated the exercise and Peter Sumner had a thunderous shot well blocked by the 'keeper on the half hour.

Indecision between goalkeeper John Lamb and James Nettleton then resulted in the Guiseley centre-back giving away a penalty.

Torpey stepped up to convert for the home side. The for a short period Prescot showed some form and Torpey hit the post with a free-kick. Even then Guiseley came back strongly as Stuart, Shaw, Airdrie and Cooke came within inches of rescuing the situation.

After a bright start to the season the team has now slipped from the heady heights of second to 13th in the table. Something which needs to be remedied quickly if they are to finish in the top ten when the league re-shuffle comes.

If Guiseley are to realise their ambition to be in the reconstituted UniBond Premier Division by finishing above tenth place they will have to turn their possession into points and that means scoring goals.

On Saturday Guiseley entertain Hyde United (3 pm) after having travelled to play Bishop Auckland at Shildon on Wednesday night.

The Reserves continue to impress with three wins against reserve teams of Conference clubs in the Lancashire League. T

hey defeated Chester City Reserves 3-1 before moving on to play the unbeaten Accrington Stanley. This brought another 3-1 win after going a goal down and then on Saturday they had a fine 3-1 win over last season's champions Morecambe.