'We could have been out of sight', says Guiseley boss, who finds defeat to leaders hard to take

BARROW went top of the Vanarama Conference North with a narrow and nervous win over Guiseley.

The home side came under early pressure and again late on as they battled to hold onto their 1-0 lead.

Even in the four added minutes the result still wasn’t safe but it was the Lions who travelled home dejected.

Guiseley dominated the opening exchanges and a curling Nicky Boshell effort clipped the top of the bar. Danny Lowe placed a header just wide and a second Boshell shot was tipped over by home keeper Tony McMillan.

The Bluebirds took the lead late in the first half from a set-piece. Keeper Steve Drench had made a good save but he could only parry the shot and the ball dropped for Andy Cook, who rifled in.

The visitors had a strong penalty appeal turned down after the break when substitute Danny Forrest appeared to be fouled in the area.

Bluebirds’ Andy Burns was shown a yellow card for time-wasting and a Danny Boshell free-kick went just wide as Guiseley’s frustrations mounted.

The defeat dropped the Lions to eighth and boss Mark Bower said: “It was frustrating as we could have been 3-0 up after half an hour. And we had a stonewall penalty not given ten minutes from time.

"We played some really good stuff for half an hour, probably as good as I’ve seen in my time here. But they are strong at set-pieces and they play for that. They are the team to beat this season and we tore them apart for 25 to 30 minutes and could have been out of sight.”