AFC Telford United 3, Guiseley 2

Guiseley came close to an upset at pacesetters AFC Telford United but ended with a narrow defeat as a highly contentious opening goal from the penalty spot proved to be the difference.

There was nothing visible between the sides but the UniBond Premier Division leaders ran off with all three points after visitors Guiseley were left climbing a steep hill from the 12th minute.

Telford took the lead after the incident that had a massive bearing on the game's outcome had unfolded.

The referee appeared to indicate a corner for the home side but was attracted to the sideline by his assistant's flag.

Following discussions, the referee then pointed to the spot for a foul by Sam Denton inside the area.

Guiseley were further deflated as Steve Foster's spot-kick was parried by goalkeeper Steve Dickinson, only for the Telford player to ram in the rebound.

It was midway through the first half before Guiseley recovered enough to threaten the home side's lead. Gavin Knight, Ryan Serrant, Scott Jackson and James Hanson, who saw a shot shave the post, all went close.

The visitors finally equalised just after the half-hour mark through a superb free-kick from skipper Richard Dunning. The home keeper was left rooted to the turf as Dunning's well-struck effort ripped into the top corner.

Any celebrations were shortlived as Telford went on the attack from the restart and immediately restored their advantage.

The move was finished by Justin Marsden, with Guiseley duo Serrant and Jackson then squandering very good chances to level again just before the break.

Ten minutes into the second half, Telford extended their advantage but it was down to poor defending.

Having conceded a corner, the Guiseley rearguard made hard work of dealing with it and Andy Jones bundled the ball in inside a packed area.

Other chances followed at both ends in an exciting and entertaining contest between the side pushing for a promotion play-off place and the team rushing headlong into Conference North.

The result was back in the balance with ten minutes to go, after Dunning netted another special set-piece. This time his free-kick took a slight deflection off the head of a defender as it beat the home keeper.

The tension levels reached a peak as Hanson sent in a late header but United's keeper was up to the challenge. He tipped it over the bar, despite having to reach backwards as he soared in mid-air.

Guiseley manager Terry Dolan said: "We played the leaders and they sneaked it. It is one of those when you are disappointed with the result but can take a lot of positives from the performance.

"Normally, if you score two goals away against the team leading the division, you expect something out of the game. That didn't happen because we gave sloppy goals away and that is what cost us.

"In one respect I can see that improving in the coming weeks but instant results are what we need in this business."

Over 2,100 spectators at the game will have been happy that this result went their way, as the Guiseley faithful were vastly outnumbered.

Dolan, who signed former Farsley Celtic striker Mark Bett from Gainsborough Trinity on Thursday, was pleased with his squad's efforts but he was not prepared to comment on the debatable' penalty.

"We had two great chances to score after that decision went against us and didn't and, added to that, we defended poorly," said the former Bantams boss.

"But I said to the players after the game that they had shown a lot of character and that I couldn't fault their attitude and commitment.

"At 2-1 down at half-time, I fancied our chances. I would have thought a lot of that large crowd must have had a few concerns over us coming back as well."

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