Guiseley 1, Solihull Moors 0

Josh Wilson’s first-half penalty was enough to separate the sides yesterday, even though Guiseley were unconvincing in this home win against ten-man Solihull Moors.

Second place in Blue Square Bet North appears to be nailed on for the Lions, and this was a third win on the trot, but they stuttered over the line in a game they controlled for long spells and should have won at a canter.

The visitors started well but Guiseley battled their way into the game and were aggrieved when they had a very strong penalty appeal turned down.

Andy Holdsworth’s run into the Moors’ area in the 27th minute was ended when he was flattened.

With the Guiseley players and most of the crowd, in unison, appealing for a penalty, the referee deemed the challenge an old-fashioned shoulder charge.

Three minutes later there was no debate whatsoever as Dominic Langdon brought Josh Wilson down in the area.

Wilson had to put his boot back on before spotting the ball and he sent Moors keeper Jasbir Singh the wrong way to give Guiseley a 31st-minute lead.

With just under 18 minutes remaining, the visitors’ right back Stuart Pierpoint picked up a yellow card for a foul on Wayne Brooksby.

Holdsworth’s 25-yard free-kick deflected just wide off a Guiseley man in Moors’ defensive wall.

Nine minutes later, Pierpoint was guilty of another rash challenge on Brooksby midway inside the visitors’ half and was shown a second yellow card before the obligatory red.

Between Pierpoint’s two bookings, Brooksby sent in a low shot that Singh parried but the ball still got through only to spin back out off the foot of the post.

Lions boss Steve Kittrick said: “It is always nervy when you are only 1-0 up but I thought we defended very, very well, and Danny Ellis in particular was outstanding.

“I went to watch them (Soilhull) last Wednesday and they set up as I thought they would so we knew it was going to be tough. We worked them out and worked hard for this win.”