Guiseley 2, Barrow 3

GUISELEY lost the big game at the Vanarama Conference North summit but only after a monumental second-half effort almost saw them gain a deserved draw.

Having trailed 3-0 at the interval, the Lions pulled two goals back before the Bluebirds were reduced to ten men and deployed time-wasting tactics as they held on to the single-goal advantage by their fingertips.

The first half was even, maybe just edged by the home side, before the visitors snatched three goals in a whirlwind nine-minute spell.

Steve Drench was beaten for the first time in the 36th minute when a shot from Anthony Wilson, that seemed to be going wide, took a wicked deflection and left the Guiseley keeper flat-footed.

Minutes later, Alex-Ray Harvey of Barrow and Danny Lowe jumped to contest a ball that was dropping loose from an aerial challenge and it went in off a shin, the visiting midfielder claiming the goal.

Wilson then poked the ball to Dan Pilkington and his deflected shot found the bottom corner.

Guiseley came out with all guns blazing after the break and bombarded the Bluebirds. It took them just ten minutes to cut the deficit as Wayne Brooksby arrowed home a shot from inside the area.

Oli Johnson then sent in a shot that Barrow keeper Tony McMillan did well to tip over and Jake Lawlor headed over from the resulting corner.

A minute later, an angled shot from Johnson hit the face of the bar and went out for a Barrow throw in.

The Lions then profited from a heavy deflection when Brooksby's low free-kick clipped the wall to leave McMillan stranded.

Jamie Crowther stupidly kicked the ball away when Guiseley were awarded a free-kick 12 minutes from time and was shown a second yellow card.

The ten men had the woodwork to thank again as they held out. McMillan got a hand to a shot from inside a packed area and the ball hit the post.

Lions boss Mark Bower reflected: "When we got into the dressing room at half-time, I had no idea how we were 3-0 down.

"They scored from two deflections and we gave a poor goal away in between but for the rest of the game we were by far the better team.

"I thought we deserved at least a point from it but, once again, we got nothing from the referee.

"I'm proud of the players for the way they reacted to it and gave everything in that second half. But that's six points we've lost to Barrow and they will take some catching now."