Chorley 2

Guiseley 1

WHAT a dire display. People thought things could not get any worse after Saturday's poor showing which ended in a 0-0 draw.

Both sides lived to fight another day but Guiseley certainly did not come out fighting for this FA Cup first qualifying round replay at Victory Park on Tuesday.

So Guiseley were lacking the long term injured centre-back Kevin Graham and striker Ryan Senior, newly injured Dave Henry and Scott Jackson and youngsters Bruce Hogg and Danny Forrest - the latter on trial with Bradford City and making a goal scoring debut for their youth team at Nottingham Forest.

Such is his commitment that on his return to Bradford his father drove him over to watch the second-half of this cup tie.

If only those on the pitch had shown the same commitment in the first 70 minutes young Forest may have had an FA Cup run to look forward to.

For that 70 minutes Guiseley were second best. They had nothing to offer in midfield, Simon Parke was left fighting a lone battle up front and the defence became overworked with Neil Grayston the busiest man on the field as the ball seemed to continually find him with unerring accuracy. An accuracy missing from Guiseley's efforts on goal.

Most of all there was no midfield spark. Last year's Player-of-the-Year Jeremy Illingworth along with Richard Chattoe is struggling for form, Stewart Airdrie showed odd flashes of his talent but looks well off full fitness, while others were anonymous as the travelling support grew more and more frustrated.

Guiseley picked up the tempo in the last 20 minutes against a team that had won only two of their previous nine matches.

With Chorley 'keeper John Gillies a virtual spectator in the first-half, David Gray was twice only a whisker away from putting his side ahead as the home side overran a lacklustre Guiseley midfield.

Just as the away following hoped that a half-time talking to may do the trick they were proved wrong.

Airdrie missed a glorious chance on the re-start, sending his shot the wrong side of the post from Simon Parke's perfectly weighted pass.

Danny Queeley finally put the home side ahead running across the edge of the penalty area unchecked before firing low past John Lamb.

Gillies then did well to keep out Parke's powerful header as Guiseley pressed forward before Neill Smith doubled the Magpies lead on 72 minutes.

Donaldson and Airdrie were replaced by Peter Sumner and David Cooke and Guiseley at last came alive.

After a handball Mark Stuart pulled one back for Guiseley from the penalty spot four minutes later.

There was a late flurry of activity from Guiseley, mainly centering around Mark Stuart, and goalkeeper John Lamb became one of their most potent attackers with some raking long balls which were finding their target.

Guiseley created a flurry of chances and could indeed have snatched an equaliser and even perhaps a winner but on the overall pattern of play it would hardly have been deserved.

Guiseley's recent performances have certainly created food for thought for the management team and it may be that new faces are seen at Nethermoor in the not too distant future.

This drab display followed an equally drab affair at Nethermoor on Saturday in which the only glimmer of light was the performance of 16 year-old Danny Forrest, starting a game for the first time for the senior team after two substitute appearances.

Guiseley have hit back in the past after badly disappointing their loyal support and the Nethermoor faithful will be hoping this will be the case.

l On Saturday Guiseley travel to Burscough and on Tuesday visit Wakefield-Emley. On Saturday the Reserves entertain Chorley (3pm).