Guiseley 3 Stocksbridge PS 1

 A home victory over early pacesetters Stocksbridge took Guiseley to within one point of the play-off places.

Before the weekend the Lions were three points adrift but they have narrowed that gap and they still have games in hand on the five clubs above them.

The Lions took an early grip on the game at Nethermoor when they broke the deadlock with a penalty.

A push in the area on Stuart Rudd saw the referee pointing to the spot and Jamie Walshaw netted.

More chances followed as the home side played constructive, flowing football.

One move in particular involved six players and only ended when Liam Needham’s shot beat the keeper but was cleared by a covering defender.

Just after the half-hour Guiseley doubled their lead and Walshaw was again involved.

It was he and veteran midfielder Chris Holland who combined to fashion the chance for Adam Muller to fire in.

It was 16 minutes into the second half when a break on the left flank led to Walshaw getting in another telling ball. A threaded pass into the area found Holland and he rifled in a shot from 16 yards.

The home side were denied a clean sheet by one former Park Avenue midfielder Tom Claisse, who popped up to net a great strike seven minutes from time.

Guiseley will be looking to take the momentum they have been building recently into their home game against Whitby Town on Tuesday night.