Guiseley 1, Boston United 0
Guiseley will take a slender lead into Sunday’s second leg of their Blue Square Bet North play-off semi-final after beating Boston United by a single strike in tonight’s home tie.
The surprise scorer was midfielder Warren Peyton with a superb second-half free-kick.
Lions boss Steve Kittrick had not wanted to risk Peyton but had to start him after two of his regulars pulled out of the squad at the 11th hour.
Top scorer James Walshaw and midfielder Danny Boshell were both missing after suffering from illness.
That left a big hole in Kittrick’s plans and Joe O’Neill joined Peyton as shock inclusions on the team sheet.
O’Neill, replacing the stricken Walshaw, only lasted until half-time but Peyton won the game for Guiseley in the 75th minute.
Peyton had gone close after just six minutes, crashing a left-foot shot against the bar in what was a very tight and evenly matched first half.
The second period saw Guiseley gaining the upper hand and they were awarded the free-kick when Joey Spivack, who came on for O’Neill at the start of the second half, was fouled.
Peyton lined up the 25-yard effort and fired it into the top corner of the Boston net.
Lions director Stuart Allen said: “We are quite pleased to be able to take an advantage, however small, into the second leg because Steve had real problems when the two lads dropped out.
“We were a bit thin on the ground. We were struggling for numbers, to be honest.
“Steve had to tell Wally (Walshaw) to stay away because he had been sick through the night before the game and if it was a bug the last thing we wanted was it spreading through the dressing room.
“The players who did make it did the club proud – but it’s only half-time. There’s another 90 minutes still to go at Boston, so it is by no means over. We have given ourselves a good chance, that’s all.”
The other semi-final first leg between Nuneaton and AFC Telford finished 1-1.
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