Stafford 4

Guiseley 2

AFTER one of the most pulsating 0-0 draws viewed in a long time of football watching, Guiseley had to replay their FA Trophy game with Stafford Rangers on Tuesday night.

The problems mounted for manager Neil Parsley when his injury hit squad was further decimated by suspension and work commitments as his side headed off for the Midlands.

He was without Simon Trevitt, Matt Daly, Simon Phillips, Peter Sumner, Lee Reilly, Ryan Senior and the suspended Andy Shuttleworth.

Such was his plight that he was struggling to name all five substitutes and he and his assistant manager Phil Sharpe were again pitched wholeheartedly into the fray.

Nevertheless another superb game unfolded and for much of it Guiseley were in front.

Stafford fired themselves in from after just two minutes through Simon Ecclestone but undaunted Guiseley hit back within a minute when Phil Sharpe's downward header was hit home by leading scorer Mark Stuart.

Guiseley went on to dominate the first-half with Nicky Hey having a 14th minute shot saved and Mark Stuart having further chances in the 17th and 20th minutes.

On 30 minutes young Kevin Newhouse saw his effort kept out but Guiseley finally got their reward in the 43rd minute when Dave Cooke's cross was met by Stuart's head and the former Bradford City man made it 2-1.

In the second-half Guiseley came under a lot of pressure and in the 56th minute the Dr Marten's Premier Division side levelled through Ian Reed.

Young goalkeeper John Lamb made some excellent saves to keep his side level. At the other end Sharpe had a header saved and Clive Freeman's free-kick was just diverted for a corner, From the kick Sharpe's header was saved.

The game then cruelly turned on Guiseley and they conceded two goals in the last six minutes to go out of the competition just when it had looked as if extra-time was looming.

Scott Dundas, who was the villain in the dying minute at Guiseley on Saturday when he missed a sitter, put his side 3-1 up and then Ecclestone bagged his second of the night to give an emphatic scoreline that did Guiseley no justice at all.

Guiseley 0

Stafford Rangers 0

There was plenty of goalmouth action at either end in Saturday's game at Guiseley but neither side could finish.

Paul Kiely proved a thorn in Guiseley's side in the first-half but young goalkeeper John Lamb proved equal to everything thrown at him.

Kiely had a succession of shots blocked and one hit Lamb before rebounding to skipper Scott Dundas. His shot came back off the underside of the bar before Neil Parsley hooked the ball off the line.

In the second-half Guiseley proved more incisive and the chances started to flow. Mark Stuart, David Cooke and Dave Henry should all have made more of their opportunities.

In the final minute Dundas got away from James Nettleton but pulled his shot wide with the goal gaping and Guiseley lived to fight again in the re-play.

It was an excellent effort from an understrength Guiseley side.

l On Saturday Guiseley travel to Witton Albion for a 3 pm kick-off. The Reserves entertain Burscough with a noon kick-off and Ryan Senior is expected to play for part of that game.