Vanarama Natioinal League: Dover Athletic 2 Guiseley 0

GUISELEY are back on the bottom of the table following their 13th league defeat of the season.

It was an arduous trip to Dover Athletic’s Crabble Athletic Ground and a long, quiet journey back to West Yorkshire.

In a disastrous start to the second half, the Lions conceded two goals in just over three minutes as Dover held on to their sixth place, just one point outside the play-off places.

The cold wet weather and an exhausting midweek Emirates FA Cup replay that the home side had endured combined to ensure that the game never really got going in a goalless first half.

Dover had played Sky Bet League Two outfit Cambridge United on Thursday night and the replay went to extra-time before the U’s ran out 4-2 victors.

If there was any tiredness in the home side, there were no signs of it at the start of the second half as they exploded out of the blocks.

In the opening minute, Ricky Miller burst through and rounded two defenders before drilling a low, hard shot that seemed to take a hefty deflection as it flew past Guiseley keeper Jonny Maxted.

Just minutes later, Maxted was picking the ball out of his net for a second time after poor defending gifted Moses Emmanuel a glorious opening that he grasped as he fired past the shot-stopper.

There were no clear openings for Guiseley, despite their efforts.

Alex Purver was the most lively of the Lions’ forwards, with the on-loan Leeds United man being involved in most of the visitors’ excursions into the Dover area.

Dover defender Sam Magri was solid as home keeper Steve Arnold was well protected and made comfortable saves.

Jordan Preston, Will Hatfield and Jake Cassidy sent in hopeful efforts, and a free-kick from substitute Michael Rankine hit the wall as Guiseley’s challenge fizzled out.

It was the home side who went closest as they almost scored a third in the 79th minute but Maxted made a superb double save.

The only remaining question was: who got the first goal?

Miller was credited with it by the stadium announcer and it was his name on the league’s website but Emmanuel claimed the strike.

The Dover striker said: “Hundred per cent my goal. I spoke to Miller during the game and he knows it was mine, even though we both celebrated it. It was a big deflection and that took it where the keeper had come from.”