Guiseley 1 Stalybridge Celtic 1

 A thrilling encounter at Nethermoor was befitting of the occasion as two of the top four in the Blue Square Bet North Division went head to head.

At the end of 90-plus enthralling minutes even a cigarette paper could not be placed in the gap between the sides.

It was a late autumn afternoon when the floodlights and low temperature only added to the atmosphere and excitement.

In his post-match press interview, Lions boss Steve Kittrick said: “What a game! I have just said to my lads in the dressing room that if we finish above Stalybridge we will win this league.

“For me it is that simple. They are a very good side and the best we have faced this season by a long stretch.”

Despite his words of praise for the visitors, Kittrick must have been impressed with his own side as they took a point off their second-placed visitors.

It was one of those games the spectators – whatever their persuasion – could not take their eyes off for a split second.

Stalybridge hit the post in the third minute but they were soon defending when a cross from Danny Forrest was only cleared by a lunge from a visiting defender.

The intensity of the match increased but the first half was goalless.

Defender Michael Brough, signed from Hartlepool recently, was the pantomime villain last time out, being sent off midway through the first half of the 2-2 draw at slowly Eastwood for deliberate hand ball, but he played a starring role this time.

The centre back opened his account for his new club with a back-post header that went in off Celts keeper Jan Budtz and the post, following a free-kick for a foul on Forrest in the 53rd minute.

Guiseley enjoyed a good spell then and could have stretched their lead from either Danny Boshell’s free-kick or when Simon Baldry was put through.

They should also have scored from Andy Holds-worth’s header following a corner – only the lightning reactions of Budtz preventing them.

Stalybridge weathered the storm and matched them with a storming finish of their own.

They had chances before Stephen Brogan curled a 79th-minute free-kick over the wall, and home keeper Steve Drench, that struck the inside of the post before going in.

Guiseley had to endure a testing last ten minutes that included two strong penalty shouts for the visitors but they defended resolutely.

Kittrick added: “I had a good view of both penalty claims and I didn’t think there was much there. The handball one was just blasted at our man and I didn’t see a foul when their lad went down.”