Guiseley 0 Kidsgrove Ath 0

On a murky afternoon Guiseley entertained last season's North West Counties League champions Kidsgrove Athletic and had to be content with a share of the spoils when they had been looking to improve their league position.

Guiseley fielded a much changed side from that beaten at Farsley in midweek with several first team regulars re-taking their places in the starting line-up.

Chris Hill returned in goal and Clive Freeman was back in the centre of defence with Simon Trevitt and James Nettleton now long term absentees. With Dave Henry and Stewart Airdrie back in the line-up the more defensive qualities of Peter Sumner were overlooked and he had to be content with a place on the bench.

Kidsgrove were the first to threaten as Richard Chattoe cleared the danger in the six yard box.

Guiseley's first real effort came from Andy Shuttleworth with a long range drive that visiting 'keeper Tim Mullock held.

Guiseley applied sustained pressure from midfield but with no recognised striker on the pitch half chances were always going to go begging.

Kidsgrove were happy to sit back and wait for their break and on one Hill saved well with his feet at the foot of the post just before the half hour.

Hill then pulled off another point blank save with the follow up being blocked by Nathan Hay. At the other end Shuttleworth shot wide when David Cooke was far better placed and waiting for the pass in the six yard box.

Gary Shaw put in an inviting ball which was picked up by Shuttleworth. He floated over a cross that seemed to deceive Mullock and as the 'keeper clawed at the ball it fell just short of Cooke's head.

Dave Henry closed the half with a good low shot but Mullock was alert to it,.

The second-half continued where the first-half had left off but Kidsgrove started to show a little more adventure.

Guiseley created their best chance so far when Cooke raced into the box and squared to Shaw who blazed over.

A sweeping move down the right ended with Airdrie's header bringing a flying tip over from Mullock and from the resulting corner Shuttleworth's header was blocked.

Kidsgrove's Twigg put his close range header over the bar. Airdrie, having a relatively quiet afternoon as he tries to find his feet with his new colleagues, then won the ball in midfield and fed Shuttleworth who was unable to shake off his marker as he shot just wide.

Guiseley had been looking for more from a game dominated by the referee's whistle.

l On Saturday Guiseley entertain Bamber Bridge (3 pm). The Reserves are at Bradford PA and will play the reverse game at Nethermoor on December 30