Vanarama National League: Bromley 1 Guiseley 1

GUISELEY'S fight for survival in the Vanarama National League goes into the final day of the campaign after a draw at mid-table Bromley in their penultimate fixture left them just one place and one point above the drop zone.

The Lions survived on the last day of last season when other results went their way but this time at least their fate is in their own hands.

If Guiseley beat a resurgent Solihull Moors at Nethermoor next Saturday, they will keep their place at the top table of English non-league football.

Manager Adam Lockwood feels that he saw enough desire and commitment from his players at Heys Lane to suggest that they can win their last home game but he may need to shuffle his pack after three of the starters against Bromley succumbed to first-half injuries.

The first setback for Guiseley was a goal for the home side as the mid-table Ravens took a fourth-minute lead.

Bradley Goldberg muscled his way past Derek Asamoah before beating Lions keeper Jonny Maxted with a fierce shot.

The first injury setback came soon after as Will Hatfield went down in the 12th minute and, despite treatment, he was substituted four minutes later.

He was replaced by Jordan Preston, and his first contribution was a shot that was blocked, Simon Walton going for the spectacular from the rebound but his bicycle kick was well wide of the target.

A Michael Rankine shot was blocked before Kevan Hurst’s effort on the follow up was saved by home keeper Ross Flitney as the Lions threatened.

The Ravens responded when George Porter hit a post from an acute angle just after the half-hour but Flitney had to save an Asamoah effort on the stroke of half-time.

Jake Lawlor and Marcus Williams had both taken knocks and Lockwood had to make the call to send Rob Atkinson and Danny East out for the second half.

Despite the changes, however, the Lions began the second period well.

It was the first substitute Preston that saved the day as he picked up a headed clearance and ran at the home defence before beating Flitney with a well-placed shot.

Bromley hit the woodwork again later after Goldberg’s through ball picked out Tobi Sho-Silva, and his chip beat Maxted but struck a post.

Lockwood said: “We went looking for the win, as we do in every game, but there was a bit of adversity.

“As a group I thought that the lads’ reaction to the first-half injuries was first class. It was a testament to the lads who came on but we have to look ahead to the last game.

“It was always going to be a tough game at Bromley. They have good players who can hurt you and they could freshen things up late on, which we couldn’t due to the circumstances.

“But I saw things in the game - hunger, desire, and if you’ve got them as a manager you can be proud. I’d like to see everyone fight for the club in our last game now.”