SOME battling displays of late by beleagured Guiseley have seen them improve their league standing and with three games left to play they now look as if they will escape the threat of a second successive relegation.

Neil Parsley's men have suddenly found a new spirit with their backs to the wall and have produced some stirring displays of late which have reaped points.

They gained a highly creditable draw, and were indeed disappointed not to win, against title chasing Vauxhall on Saturday and then they gave a scintillating display in atrocious conditions to beat Winsford United on Tuesday night.

All this with injuries to their small squad which have kept James Nettleton, Andy Shuttleworth, David Cooke, Benn Gallagher and Richard Annan out of the side while Phil Atkinson has been struggling with a chest infection.

GUISELEY............1

VAUXHALL..........1

With Matt Daly still suspended and without James Nettleton Colin Hogarth was recalled to the line-up for the clash with Vauxhall. Guiseley's hard work certainly made the Motormen look anything but promotion candidates.

James Shutt was in early trouble in the Guiseley goal but then there were few chances at either end as Guiseley worked hard to nullify their visitors. A good move involving Richard Annan, Dave Henry and Gareth Pritchard saw the ball played across the face of the goal but there were no takers.

Shutt was eventually beaten after 38 minutes by Matt Haddrell when a corner was not cleared.

Guiseley came out for the second-half with Benn Gallagher replacing Atkinson, who was struggling to breathe. Gallagher was making his return to action after suffering a deep gash to the knee and he soon made his mark.

Dave Henry initially thought he had overhit his cross but it fell invitingly for Gallagher at the far post and he levelled the scores.

Things became heated and there was a midfield confrontation between Andy Williams and Vauxhall's Kevin Lynch but order was restored. The hard working Pritchard took some sever punishment and he eventually limped off to be replaced by Ben Thackwray.

GUISELEY.............3

WINSFORD...........0

This was a crucial game for Guiseley and the three points gained moved them up two places in the table with neighbours Farsley Celtic now slipping below them on goal difference and having played a game more.

With the pitch starting to look more like an aquatic park by the minute the players were soon virtually unrecognisable in their mud covered kit.

Guiseley obviously had more of a stomach for the conditions in the early stages as they harried and chased continually but Winsford did fightback well in the latter stages.

Gareth Pritchard got in the first shot but the 'keeper saved and then Dave Henry hit the ball over the bar and Lee Poole shot wide.

In the 43rd minute a good Guiseley move ended with Dave Henry slipping through the defence to fire home in the 43rd minute.

In the second-half Henry almost got on the scoresheet again but his effort was cleared. Poole also had another effort turned for a corner which Benn Gallagher took. Dave Cooke rose to head the ball home to give Guiseley a 2-0 lead.

Pritchard again took some harsh punishment and he was again replaced by Ben Thackwray and it was the young substitute who provided the crossfield pass for the final goal.

Gallagher, now getting the scoring bug, picked the ball up on the left flank and placed a superb shot over the 'keeper into the net to seal victory for his side.

l On Saturday Guiseley travel to Stocksbridge and then on Tuesday night entertain title chasing Bradford Park Avenue (7.45 pm). Their final game is at Chorley on Saturday, May 5, the day when the Reserves play their final home league game of the season against Morecambe. The club's presentation night will also take place on that date.

Harrogate Town............0

Guiseley Youth.............7

A COMPREHENSIVE defeat of Harrogate Town following hot on the heels of a disappointing 0-0 draw at home to Selby Town has kept Guiseley's Youth team in contention for the Northern Under-19 Alliance title.

A short handed Guiseley shared the spoils with Selby in mid-week after making most of the running. Selby battled hard and were worth their point against a Guiseley side in which Danny McCartney and Simon Tweddle worked hard but lacked their usual inspiration.

At Harrogate Guiseley welcomed Kevin Newhouse back after his week's trial at Grimsby Town and the young striker netted twice as his side routed the home club.

Simon Richardson grabbed a hat-trick and other goals came from Simon Tweddle and substitute Scott Norton. Goalkeeper John Lamb and skipper Danny McCartney were outstanding in defence and Newhouse and Richardson were always a threat up front.

Following a poor winter weather wise Guiseley's Youth team face a hectic run in and the punishing schedule may yet put paid to their title hopes. They face six games in little over a week.

Their programme is: Tonight, Thursday at Pontefract; Sunday home to Pickering; Tuesday at Ossett; Thursday home to Ossett; Friday home to Farsley; Wednesday, May 9 at Garforth with one game at Thackley yet to be arranged.

As several of this side also play for the club's reserve team and indeed Butler and McCartney have been included in recent first team squads these lads are in for a hectic time. A number of them will also figure in Saturday's West Riding FA County Youth squad.