Buildbase FA Trophy second round: Nuneaton Town 6 Guiseley 1

GUISELEY weren’t simply knocked out of the Buildbase FA Trophy, they were humbled by a side from a division lower, and the Lions' tormentor-in-chief was Jordan Nicholson.

The Nuneaton forward, on loan from League One Peterborough United for the rest of the season, plundered five goals as Guiseley were knocked for six.

The home side led just 1-0 at the break, and Michael Rankine equalised just minutes into the second half but the game soon went away from them.

There could have been more goals in the game as both sides had a penalty saved, but despite all that it was a match overshadowed by a nasty-looking injury to Guiseley’s Ashley Palmer.

The centre back was injured before the half-hour mark and taken off on a stretcher before being whisked away to a local hospital for further treatment.

Nuneaton broke the deadlock soon after as Nicholson claimed his first.

Lions’ keeper Jonny Maxted got a hand to Nicholson’s shot from distance but the ball still rolled over the line.

Rankine claimed the equaliser after deflecting an Adam Boyes shot over home keeper Christian Dibble.

The home side had the chance to retake the lead from the spot after Danny Lowe tripped Reece Styce in the area.

Nicholson placed the ball but Maxted saved his 12-yard effort.

Nuneaton didn’t have long to wait to edge back in front, hoiwever, as Joe Ironside rifled in a 50th-minute shot.

Just eight minutes later, the contest was all but over as a back pass from Palmer’s replacement Marcus Williams put Maxted under pressure and he was robbed by Nicholson, who then stroked the ball into the unguarded net.

Ironside put Nicholson’s hat-trick goal on a plate before the striker bagged another brace of easy goals.

Nicholson nodded home from a yard out before completing the scoring after Maxted failed to hoof the ball clear.

Lions boss Adam Lockwood was keen to ensure Nuneaton got the credit they deserved.

The Guiseley manager said: “Firstly, I thought Nuneaton were exceptional, whether that was because we were poor or not.

“They played the ball about well and I have to give them credit. Secondly, I’d like to apologise to all of the people involved in this, apologise on behalf of the dressing room.

“I haven’t got too many words for this feeling because upset doesn’t even come close to describing it. The goals we conceded were totally unacceptable and I’ve learned a lot from this game.

“Hopefully that will stand me in good stead as I go forward and stand the players in good stead.

"We have to deal with it in the way we see right and if people don’t learn from it then we have got problems.”