Dover Athletic 0, Guiseley 0

GUISELEY stretched their unbeaten Vanarama National League run to five games as they returned from their second trip to the south coast with another hard-earned point following a determined performance.

There were six places between the clubs before Saturday's game at The Crabble but only one now as the draw saw the Lions climb above Barrow, last season's Conference North champions, while Dover dropped to 14th.

Mark Bower was delighted with his team and also happy to accept that maybe, after 11 games since gaining promotion to non-League's top tier, they got the rub of the green in this one.

The Lions boss said: "I think it was a well-earned point in that the lads worked their socks off.

"But Dover hit the bar a couple of times and had a goal disallowed, so that was probably the only game so far this season that we got more than we deserved.

"Our keeper Steve Drench made an unbelievable double save and I think that epitomised the effort all of the players put in.

"Clean sheets are what keepers thrive on and Drenchy certainly earned this one and we're all pleased to have defended so well.

"We could have even nicked it late on with two great chances but I think that would have been too much.

"We kept going, battled well and I can't complain about any of the decisions because we might have got away with a few. Unlike the rest of the season, maybe these things do even themselves out."

There were a couple of early chances for the home side but Liam Dickinson sent a chipped shot just wide as Guiseley threatened for the first time.

Drench made his first contribution soon after but Tom Craddock could have scored after rounding several defenders, only to put his effort wide.

The home side were irate when they had the ball in Drench's net as play was brought back for a free-kick to them. That was before the Lions keeper made his superb reaction double save.

The home side were thwarted by the woodwork twice after the break but Jake Lawlor and Will Hatfield both had good chances to give Guiseley an unlikely lead.