Guiseley 2, Stalybridge Celtic 1

Guiseley reached the last 16 of the FA Trophy after edging yet another bad-tempered game against Blue Square Bet North rivals Stalybridge.

The Lions had to come from a goal down to win this second-round tie with a late Liam Needham goal as the visitors played more than half of the game with ten men.

The Celts lost their skipper and defensive lynchpin in the penalty incident which brought Guiseley level just before the break.

It was a game of few chances, although the hosts dominated possession and territorial advantage.

The best they managed in the first half hour were two free-kicks for Warren Peyton, one of which went over while the other was saved.

Stalybridge took the lead with a free-kick of their own following some quick thinking as Guiseley keeper Steven Drench was setting his wall. The ball was whipped in and Connor Jennings turned the ball into the net.

The penalty was awarded five minutes before the interval when Lions striker Joe O’Neill was brought down. Leading scorer James Walshaw spotted the ball and was again successful.

With the visitors reduced in numbers for the entire second half, Guiseley forced a string of chances. They were knocking on the door throughout but had to be patient.

Walshaw, Danny Boshell (twice) and Gavin Rothery all went close before the woodwork came to Stalybridge’s rescue. Midfielder Luke Sharry whipped in a cross and O’Neill powered in a header that cannoned back off the bar.

In the penultimate minute, the visitors’ resistance was finally breached. Pressure had forced a corner and Dave Merris delivered it for Needham to head home and the resulting roar from the fans lifted the roof at Nethermoor.

Lions director and spokesman Stuart Allen said: “We are in tomorrow’s draw and that was the objective before the tie, so we are smiling.

“It is the last 16 but we have our fingers crossed for a favourable draw so we have the opportunity to go even further.

“Unfortunately the game was almost as niggly as the league game at our place, so it was not good.

“There was no doubt about the sending off though because it was one of those last-man situations.”