Spennymoor 2, Guiseley 1

FOLLOWING the joy of a second successive win over Rossendale Guiseley had the bitter disappointment of losing to a hotly disputed penalty at Spennymoor on Tuesday.

With play out on the left touchline there was little or nobody in the ground who could understand why the referee awarded a penalty. It seems he adjudged Guiseley full-back Peter Atkinson to have fouled an opponent off the ball.

Atkinson was attempting to push away a player who he claimed was trying to elbow him in the face.

When the Spennymoor player fell dramatically to the floor the referee pointed to the penalty spot.

Guiseley manager Neil Parsley said: "To lose in circumstances like that is hard to take.

"When the referee awarded a penalty I asked why he had not sent Atki off then and he said it wasn't violent conduct.

"That was the difference between the sides - one man's interpretation of one incident.

"We were the better side in the first-half and Spennymoor were the better in the second but my lads battled like mad and a draw would have been a fair result."

Guiseley had taken the lead when Alex Nesovic superbly kept the ball in play and put Alan Bailey in possession. Bailey then struck a magnificent shot which curled in at the far post.

Spennymoor levelled just after the hour mark when Andy Shaw headed in a cross and it was Shaw who stepped up to convert the controversial penalty.

Guiseley 3, Rossendale 1

ALEX Nesovic marked his home debut for Guiseley with a brace of goals and with a little luck it could have been many more.

Nesovic, the Bradford man signed from Irish club Shelbourne, netted after just four minutes heading in Mark Stuart's cross.

He then made it 2-0 after 25 minutes when he converted a Stuart cross netting from close range.

Guiseley had young John Lamb continuing in goal in the absence of Chris Hill, who has a broken thumb. Young defender Nathan Hay missed the game with a hamstring injury.

Guiseley had plenty of chances to increase their lead in the first-half, Alan Bailey being guilty of missing an excellent opportunity.

Martin Diggle pulled a goal back for the battling Rossendale heading in from a corner.

Guiseley were in no mood to surrender their lead and indeed they extended it.

Andy Shuttleworth put in a teasing cross and Alan Bailey was there to net right footed from ten yards.

Assistant manager Clive Freeman said: "It was a great start for Alex but as a team we are playing well at the moment. We are looking solid, particularly at the back.

"Back to back games are always difficult, especially if you have just won away but it was very pleasing for us to get another win and give our home fans a treat."

l On Saturday Guiseley visit Bamber Bridge while the Reserves entertain Accrington Stanley in a Lancashire League game (2 pm). On Monday the Reserves entertain Northwich Victoria (7.45 pm).