Forest Green Rovers 3, Guiseley 0

GUISELEY'S winless run continued but they will have gained great heart from their trip to National League leaders Forest Green despite the final score.

It was the Lions' third consecutive defeat and they face a daunting trip to Wrexham in midweek before they can look forward to their next home game.

It was always going to be a difficult afternoon at Forest Green after the home side had cemented their place at the summit with a 3-0 victory at Aldershot in front of the cameras in BT Sports' live midweek game.

One of Guiseley's three defeats on the spin, at home to Lincoln City, was also in the full glare of a national audience and that was followed by another home loss to Macclesfield Town.

Yet Lions boss Mark Bower is pleased with the effort and attitude of his players and is hoping they do not suffer for being the small club.

"The performance in general was quite good against a side that has created chances against everyone they've played and they didn't cut us apart," said Bower.

"But the penalty decision against us (for the second goal) was an absolute joke and the lads are devastated about how they are being treated by the match officials.

"They (Forest Green) have been gift-wrapped a goal by the referee in this game. The last time we had the same ref was against Aldershot at home and we got an apology off the assessor after that.

"We can only do what we can on the pitch, and you expect the odd decision to go against you, but big calls – like the one in this game that made it 2-0 and all but ended it for us – shouldn't be wrong at this level.

"I thought we were more than in the game and should have got something from it."

The home side broke the deadlock in the 25th minute when Elliot Frear controlled Jon Parkin's ball to the far post and he beat Lions keeper Steve Drench with a neat volley.

Guiseley may have got the rub of the green early in the second half when Adam Lockwood, who was under pressure from Parkin, headed past Drench but it was disallowed for a foul by the Rovers player.

The penalty followed soon after as Gavin Rothery was adjudged to have fouled Kurtis Guthrie just inside the area following a 55th-minute corner. The spot-kick was awarded and Parkin drilled it past Drench.

Bower made some attacking changes and the visitors threatened but there were chances at both ends as the home side were always lively on the breakaway.

The game was sealed when Forest Green substitute Aaron O'Connor scored his side's third with his first touch. Again it was following a break and he finished well to give Drench no chance.