Chorley 1 Guiseley 0

GUISELEY relinquished third place in the Vanarama Conference North when they were leapfrogged by Chorley following a narrow defeat at Victory Park, tonight.

The hosts snatched all three points thanks to a late strike by Josh Hine as the promotion rivals went head to head in an enthralling encounter that lived up to its billing.

It was ironic that Hine should be the match winner as he had seen his penalty save by Lions keeper Steve Drench in the 33rd minute.

Wayne Brooksby had an early strike well saved by the Magpies’ keeper but it was a tentative start with few chances. The Lions began to get the upper hand and a greater share of the ball but the penalty incident then came against the run of play.

Guiseley keeper Drench was the guilty party but he more than redeemed himself with a fine save to deny Josh Hine’s spot kick. Brooksby had another chance late in the half but his header to Danny Boshell’s cross found only the outside of the side netting.

The Lions enjoyed a really good spell in the second half during which Adam Boyes saw a header cannon down off the bar and Oli Johnson being denied from close range.

Both Mark Bower and his opposite number Garry Flitcroft made changes as the second half unfolded but the game remained in the balance. It stayed that way right up until the 85th minute when Hine netted from close range after Drench could only parry a well-struck shot from outside the area .

Bower said, “I thought we were excellent from start to finish. We played well and hit the woodwork twice while I can barely remember them having a shot but if you don’t take your chances you leave yourselves open.

“It was a bitterly, bitterly disappointed dressing room afterwards.”