Guiseley 1

Halifax Town 0

A penalty in the dying seconds of the first half was the difference between the sides as UniBond Premier Division Guiseley overcame their more illustrious near-neighbours Halifax Town at Fleet Lane in the West Riding County Cup final.

The Conference side were favourites to win the trophy but Guiseley had come through three previous rounds when they were deemed underdogs. They put the icing on the cake by lifting their first prize since 1996.

"We took the game to them, broke well and looked after the ball. It was a very good performance," said Guiseley manager Neil Parsley.

"Halifax are still involved in a battle to make the play-offs for the Football League but they put out a strong side. There were five players with first-team experience and a couple of regulars.

"Whatever happens in the UniBond now, whether we reach the play-offs for the Conference North or not, my boys can go away for their summer break and be pretty pleased with themselves.

"Winning a pot to put in the trophy cabinet is a very good reward for their endeavours and having beaten Halifax, Bradford Park Avenue, Harrogate Town and Farsley along the way is amazing.

"That is not a bad quartet to have the scalps of."

Most of Guiseley's first-half chances, notably from skipper Jeremy Illingworth and Simon Parke midway through the half, were saved or blocked but Dave Henry did shoot wide.

Just as the interval beckoned, David Cooke was brought down by the Town keeper after seizing on a stray pass. He was being forced wide so the referee decided a yellow card was sufficient. The real punishment was dished out by former Bantams midfielder Mark Stuart, who drilled home the resulting spot kick.

The second half presented few chances but it remained in the balance and the tension built up as the sides battled out an entertaining final.

"We gained a promotion last season but we didn't win a trophy so we have bettered that this time," added Parsley.

"It has been an excellent campaign. We have lifted a cup, and with five games to go in the league are still in with a chance of a second promotion in two years.

"I think a lot of our supporters would have settled for that before the season started.

"We have to go out on Saturday and set the cat among the pigeons to see if we can make these five games count."