Guiseley 3 Dagenham & Redbridge 5

GUISELEY entertained the crowd in their penultimate Vanarama National League home game but the already-relegated Lions failed to improve their position as they lost an eight-goal thriller against the Daggers at Nethermoor.

The Lions remain at the foot of the table with three games remaining of their third season at the top table of English non-league football.

Caretaker manager Sean St Ledger picked himself at the heart of the defence and he saw his side score three goals inside an 11-minute first half spell – but still lost.

The Daggers broke the deadlock in the 16th minute through Michael Cheek, his first of the night was the simplest of his hat-trick. Following good play by Fejiri Okenabirhie a chance was put on a plate for Cheek and he snaffled it.

Ten minutes later the visitors were two goals to the good after Liam Gordon had controlled a ball into the area and slotted under Guiseley keeper Luke Coddington.

The home side’s comeback began a minute later when Alex Purver sent in a cross that curled over Daggers’ keeper Mark Cousins and into the far corner. Cousins saved a penalty soon after, Jamie Roberts being fouled by Luke Pennell before spotting the ball, but the stopper could only parry it and Ellis Hudson slammed the rebound home.

When former Republic of Ireland defender St Ledger slipped, Cheek profited and put the visitors 3-2 up. However, a minute later Simon Lenighan converted a cross to restore parity.

The equilibrium didn’t last until the break through as the Daggers got a penalty of their own just before the interval and Okenabirihie slotted past Coddington.

There was a triple substitution for the Lions at half time with Ben Frempah, Hudson and Purver departing while Ash Palmer, Victor Nirennold and John Rooney were introduced.

Cousins made good saves to deny Kayode Odejeyi, with a header, and Lenighan in the second half and Guiseley also hit the bar with the follow-up to Lenighan’s effort but it was the Daggers who stretched their lead.

Cheek claimed the only goal of the second half after Coddington had initially saved his 68th minute shot, notching his treble on the rebound.

St Ledger said, “It was crazy – first half end to end – probably the whole game was and obviously it’s a disappointing result.

“You are looking to win your home games but if we are looking for positives we passed the ball the best since I’ve been here and that’s what I want. The goals were basic errors which is something we have spoken about, including myself being at fault for a couple of them maybe.

“But I’d like to focus on a lot of players who have come in and played their first game for a while and been fantastic. Also scoring more than once in a game and we could have had a lot more. I think we had the better chances throughout the game and probably should have won 6-5!”

Meanwhile, Bradford Park Avenue didn’t kick a ball last night but it was still a very good evening for them in the Vanarama National North as the two clubs immediately above them but lost.

Mark Bower’ Avenue are just two points outside the play-off places with two games of their season remaining. They are directly below Spennymoor Town and two places below Chorley and although both of those clubs have games in hand they both dropped points last night.

Sixth-placed Chorley lost 2-0 away at struggling Leamington while Spennymoor were beaten 2-1 at home in a north eastern derby by near neighbours Darlington.

Both the Magpies and the Moors could yet pull away from Avenue while York City and Blyth Spartans could leapfrog Bower’s men - the Minstermen have two games left and are on the same points total while Blyth are two points worse off but have a game in hand.

It all sets up Avenue’s final home game of the season very nicely.

Tomorrow they host second-placed Harrogate Town who are six points behind leaders Salford City with just two games to play.

It promises to be a tasty Yorkshire derby at the Horsfall Stadium.