Guiseley 1 Matlock 0

Guiseley ended a punishing schedule of four games in eight days with a welcome single goal victory against a Matlock Town team still harbouring an outside chance of making the play-offs.

In truth, this was a scrappy affair more reminiscent of an end of season encounter with both sides struggling to put together any semblance of flowing football on a soggy pitch.

Guiseley suffered an early blow when the influential Mark Stuart sustained an injury after only 14 minutes to be replaced by new Portuguese signing Antonio Pedro Pires De Santos.

Antonio has played a good level of football in Portugal last appearing for Union Lamas and he appeared at Guiseley via the Reserve team.

He quickly became a crowd favourite and once he settles down with his new teammates - he had not even trained with the first team before - he may well prove a more than useful addition to the squad.

Despite plenty of huff and puff neither team seriously troubled either 'keeper until the 34th minute when Tony Lennon and Matty Smithard combined to set up David Cooke whose shot took a slight deflection off a defenders outstretched leg to beat Andy Richmond.

Lennon then flashed a shot over the bar from 25 yards two minutes later as the home team found some cohesion. Matlock too began to awake from their slumbers and Gary Webster put an inviting header across the face of the Guiseley goal but Danny Ellis nipped in to clear the danger.

The second-half began with Matt Taylor making a point blank save from Steve Warne and whilst the home 'keeper was in no-mans land the ball was played back to Kris Bowler who skied his shot over the open goal. Steve Ball then came to Guiseley's rescue as he cleared off the line following a bout of head tennis.

Ian Clarke was then denied by Taylor's outstretched leg as Matlock pushed for an equaliser which they would surely have got but for some woeful finishing.

As it was Matt Smithard almost grabbed a second for Guisley just before the end but his shot was agonisingly inches wide.

Guiseley battled hard for their victory and will be looking to take something from their home game against Marine on Saturday (3pm).