Guiseley 0 Ossett Town 2

On a bitterly cold night and with a rock hard pitch where the collective sound of the players studs sounded like the charge of the Light Brigade, it was a credit to both sides that they tried to play something resembling football.

In the end Guiseley once again showed their Jekyll and Hyde character with a well-earned point at league leaders North Ferriby on Saturday and then the failure to pick up a single point at home to a side lower than them in the league.

Ossett seemed to adapt better to the conditions than the home side and took an early lead through Kirk Wheeler's header from close range and it wasn't until nearly a third of the match had gone that Guiseley produced their first real threat.

Jez Illingworth's persistence saw him battle past three opponents only for Colin Williamson to get a decisive boot to the ball and divert it into the path of Danny Forrest but the young striker's effort was wide and high.

Scott Jackson then spotted Neil Bennett in the Ossett goal in no-man's land but his delicate lob was just too long and landed on the roof of the net. Joe Walsh returned the compliment for Ossett just before half-time, his lob being a bit closer as it bounced off the top of the crossbar.

The second-half was much of the same as players found it increasingly difficult to keep their feet on the frozen surface where tackles were at a premium.

Andy Haywood bagged the decisive second for Ossett with a deft touch from Robert O'Brien's cross to divert the ball past Matt Taylor on 52 minutes after a sweeping move had seen the visitors mount a swift and decisive counter attack.

Taylor then produced a point blank save from O'Brien at the near post whilst at the other end Bennett did well to keep out a Mark Stuart free-kick that had been bent round the defensive wall.

Whilst Ossett were good value for their win, the question of whether matches should go ahead under these conditions is debatable both for the well being of players and the entertainment value for the spectators.

Guiseley must now look to showing better form at home as they face a tough semi-final in the West Riding County Cup on Tuesday (7.45pm).

Conference North side Harrogate Town will be the visitors to Nethermoor as Neil Parsley's men seek to retain the trophy they won last season by beating Halifax Town in the final.

Manager Neil Parsley will have a few problems for this one with Scott Jackson and Sam Denton ineligible along with recent signing Tony Lennon.

Guiseley are without a game on Saturday but the Reserves travel to Barrow.