Guiseley 2, City 1

PACE – it's what City have been crying out for since Kyel Reid was cut down at Bramall Lane 18 months ago.

Last night's friendly at Nethermoor probably didn't provide too many pointers for the approaching campaign, given the scratch nature of the team.

But the jet heels of Mark Marshall and, to a lesser extent, teenage hopeful Jon Lewis showed that there is plenty of power beneath the bonnet.

The unfamiliar nature of the team sheet caused a stir among the large crowd as City started with a line-up that had never appeared in a regular-season game for them.

There were only four contracted players – and the seven trialists who kicked off were also joined by another couple on the bench.

Full backs Luke Hendrie and Greg Leigh kept up their record of appearing in every friendly so far, while Joe Cracknell got another chance in goal.

Steve Saunders and Mark Fotheringham were both kept on from the Scotland tour and former St Mirren defender Mark McAusland became the fourth different trialist to fill in at centre half.

Ex-Manchester City youngster Adam Drury, who has also had a loan spell with the Paisley club, was named on the right wing after failing to earn a contract with Leeds.

But those starters actually on the City books wasted no time in making their presence felt.

The away fans who dominated every side of Nethermoor got an immediate glimpse of Marshall's electric acceleration.

After getting a taste of it against St Mirren with a late cameo, the winger was given an hour to stretch his legs against the combative National League new boys.

He needed only four minutes before picking off a loose pass by Will Hatfield, scooting away from the halfway line and completely bamboozling home skipper Adam Lockwood before his cross was nodded away.

Then it was the turn of Lewis, the young American already being touted as the 'next Nahki'. Wells would certainly have been proud of the quick feet that created room for a shot at keeper Steve Drench.

Not to be outdone, Luke James whipped in a shot on the turn – in between twice getting cut down by Lockwood as he threatened to burst clear.

The second was a blatant professional foul and the Guiseley centre half was lucky referee Adie Holmes felt so lenient – a mood he maintained over some tasty home tackles throughout the game.

Fotheringham, captaining for the night, tested Drench with the free-kick. Marshall also continued to enjoy himself and more trickery created an opening for Sam Wright, the fourth of the 'permanent' brigade, to warm Drench's hands.

Marshall and Wright got their wires crossed with a misplaced pass near their own penalty area but Gavin Rothery snatched at the unexpected opportunity for the hosts.

But City took the lead on 34 minutes after a jinking run from Lewis. He was cut down by Rob Atkinson but the ref waved play on to allow Drury to rifle in an angled shot.

The visitors nearly had a second as half-time approached but Hendrie's low cross just eluded the incoming Lewis.

But Guiseley levelled seven minutes after the break – the first goal City had conceded in pre-season. Half-time sub Danny Boshell lofted a high ball forward and Adam Boyes wriggled in between the centre halves to steer home.

Guiseley, adopting a more direct approach, could have had the lead. Boyes fired across goal and Cracknell saved alertly from Nicky Boshell, before Danny Lowe went closest yet with a poke past the keeper that missed the far post by inches.

Frenchman Billel Qsiyer, yet another Bantams trialist, flicked a header wide before Boyes put Guiseley in front with his second goal as he converted Nicky Boshell's cross.

City worked their way through a mass of substitutions and ended the game with five apprentices on the pitch. One of them, Niah Payne, had the chance of a last-minute equaliser but was put off by Lockwood's challenge.

Guiseley: Drench (Hall 75), Toulson, Lowe, Atkinson (Hall 61), Lockwood, Lawlor, Brooksby (N Boshell 61), Guy (Porritt 75), Boyes, Hatfield, Rothery (D Boshell 46). Subs: Bennett, Fell, Gaughan, Johnson, J Hendrie.

City: Cracknell, L Hendrie, McAusland (Omolokun 71), Saunders (Mellor 85), Leigh, Drury (Walker 71), Wright (Devine 81), Fotheringham (McBurnie 81), Marshall (Mottley-Henry 61), James (Qsiyer 65), Lewis (Payne 71). Sub: Hallwood.