Rothery spot-kick rescues late point for Guiseley

Their late comeback after trailing 2-0 at the interval demoralised Worcester, for whom sharing the points meant they dropped one place to eighth.

The Lions were hunting their tenth victory of the season in their 14th start but it was always going to be a big ask to get all three points at the midlands outfit.

The visitors were the first to show when Ciaran Toner put a fifth-minute effort over the bar. Gavin Rothery was the next to fire over and Lee Ellington followed suit midway through the half after being put through by Andy Holdsworth.

Worcester finished their chances well and broke the deadlock from a 36th-minute corner, Lee Ayres scoring from close range at the back post.

They underlined their ability to dispatch openings when Mike Symons netted just before the break.

Guiseley turned in a much better second-half performance but it still remained a game of few clear-cut chances.

Former Northern Ireland international Toner put another effort over before the Lions finally got a goal back, Danny Boshell heading in following good work from Dave Merris.

Three good openings came Danny Forrest’s way in the last quarter of the game. His first shot beat the home keeper but flashed just wide across the face of goal, his second was well saved at full stretch and his third attempt was blocked.

There was also a strong penalty claim in that time when Holdworth took a tumble in the area.

Justice appeared to be done when the referee did point to the spot in the 90th minute.

It was Joe O’Neill who had been fouled and Rothery stepped up to earn the Lions their share of the spoils.

Guiseley spokesman Stuart Allen said: “We had a Japanese referee for this game. There has been a swap, a cultural exchange, with two of our refs having gone over there to officiate while two of theirs have come here.

“He did well and you couldn’t criticise either of the penalty decisions, the one we got or the one we didn’t.”