Guiseley 2, Chester FC 1

Guiseley defeated the newly-crowned Blue Square Bet North Division champions yesterday and took another step towards securing second place for themselves in the process.

Home keeper Steve Drench had to make a smart save early on but the Lions soon opened up a lead.

Gavin Rothery was fouled in the eighth minute and Josh Wilson curled in the resulting free-kick around the wall.

Wilson went for another direct free-kick later, only to be denied by the width of the post, but Chester were to go into the break on level terms.

Antoni Sarcevic and Tony Gray had both gone close before Gray converted a corner on the stroke of half-time.

The Lions worked hard for their win and they were not to be denied as Wilson’s second gave them victory.

With 20 minutes remaining, Andy Holdsworth found the perfect pass and Wilson ran onto it before finding the net for a second time on the afternoon.

Jack Rea narrowly missed out on adding a third.

Lions’ boss Steve Kittrick said: “We looked like we were back to our best - it has taken time but I thought everything we have played for all year was back.

"We want to do the right things in the right areas, and we did in this game.”

The Guiseley players formed a guard of honour for their visitors and applauded them onto the pitch. It was a gesture that was heartily received and, one that was adhered to by the home side’s supporters.

Kittrick added: “It was a great feeling to deliver against the best team in the league.

“We all wished them well and I said to Neil (Chester manager Young) that I hope we are playing in the same division next year.

“It has been a testing end to the season but we hope to finish second, get the best draw for the play-offs and do what we need to do - gain promotion.

"We had three games in seven days before the Chester game but I thought we looked fitter for it. Either that or it was pure adrenaline.”