Boston United 3, Guiseley 2

Guiseley are just 90 minutes away from the Conference League after they won through to the Blue Square Bet North play-off final in dramatic fashion today.

The Lions had won their first leg semi-final against Boston United 1-0 at Nerthermoor last Tuesday.

They trailed 2-1 at the end of normal time at Boston and 3-2 after extra-time, which took the tie into a penalty shoot-out as away goals do not count double in the Conference League set-up.

Midfielder Warren Peyton had missed so much of the second half of Guiseley’s season through injury but after netting a stunning 25-yard free-kick to give the Lions the edge in the first leg, he earned them a crack at AFC Telford United in next Sunday’s play-off final by scoring the last penalty in the lottery of the shoot-out.

Boston levelled the tie overall when Shaun Pearson headed past Lions keeper Steven Drench following a tenth-minute corner.

It proved to be the only goal of the first half, despite Gavin Rothery, James Walshaw –twice each – Darren Stamp and Simon Baldry all going close for the visitors.

The initiative switched again on the hour as Rothery slotted home a shot after Stamp had headed down a cross but the home side were back in front in the 79th minute when Anthony Church netted to take the play off semi-final into the extra period.

Guiseley felt aggrieved when leading scorer Walshaw was denied a penalty in the 107th minute, but they were back on terms, on the day, a minute later.

Stamp tucked a shot from outside the area into the corner of Boston’s net to make it 2-2.

Just seven minutes from the end of extra time, Daniel Davidson scored to give the Pilgrims a 3-2 win and level the play-off at 3-3 and ensure a nail-biting end for the battle to visit AFC Telford United for the last promotion place to the Blue Square Premier.

Guiseley keeper Drench saved two of the home side’s five spot-kicks and another cannoned out off a post. Walshaw confidently netted Guiseley’s first, Stamp was also on target and Peyton took the plaudits and the hugs of his team-mates when he fired in the last.