Guiseley 2, Eastwood Town 2
Guiseley matched their opponents and should have gone on to win but were held to a draw on the final day of the Blue Square Bet North Division.
Despite dropping two points and finishing behind Eastwood Town on goal difference, they still earned a play-off place so their campaign is far from over. Guiseley host Boston United on Tuesday night in the first leg of the play-off semi-finals.
Guiseley boss Steve Kittrick said: "I thought we started slowly but once we got into our stride we were on top in the first half.
"After the break, it was a bit more even but they (Eastwood) only really had a ten-minute spell and we defended well.
"We played well without creating a lot of chances but I think some of the lads were holding a little bit back for Tuesday.
"They all knew we were in the play-offs no matter what the result of this game but they still did enough.
"Tuesday’s game is a massive one for us now and we need our magnificent supporters with us"
The game began badly for the home side because they gifted Eastwood an early goal. In the fourth minute Jon D’Laryea floated a cross to the far post where Andy Todd was in oceans of space after losing his marker and he headed in.
Guiseley had to work hard after that and still had keeper Steven Drench to thank for standing up to block a Lindon Meikle shot midway through the first half. The home side were back in the game soon after that.
A 25th minute free kick was played square by Danny Boshell to Luke Sharry and the former Bantams midfielder drilled the ball into the are. Simon Baldry was the recipient and he executed the trap and turn perfectly before slotting in from eight yards.
Other chances followed but it was not until first half injury time that the Lions got in front. Former Terrier Baldry was central once again, his header to a cross from open play came back off the post and with the visitors’ keeper sprawling after his dive to cover Baldry’s effort James Walshaw had the simple task of a nod in from close range.
Eastwood received another gift in the second half but that was from the referee after he deemed a Boshell challenge worthy of a penalty. There was a cacophony from the terraces as Todd spotted the ball and ran in and a whoop of delight as Drench made a fine save.
Guiseley had their share of luck when Todd had the ball in their net only to be flagged for either a foul on the keeper or offside, it was unclear. However, pantomime villain Todd did have a hand in Town’s 67th minute equaliser. It was his cross that led to Adie Hawes looping a header over Drench.
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