TWO goals from Blyth Spartans' Danny Maguire helped condemn Guiseley to their first home defeat since August

The Lions crashed to a 3-1 reverse to Blyth last night in Vanarama National League North - their first defeat at Nethermoor since leaders Chorley won 2-0 on August 7.

This was after a Kingsley James' penalty had cancelled out Aaron Cunningham’s third-minute opener but, with hosts Guiseley unable to impose themselves on their opponents, it was the Spartans who went on to take advantage of some slack defending and secure the win.

Cunningham’s opener came from a corner that was played to the far post for the Blyth man to convert the easiest of opportunities after just three minutes.

Guiseley’s equaliser came from Will Hatfield being tripped in the area by Robert Dale with James sending Peter Jameson the wrong way from the resultant spot kick.

Ten minutes before the break Maguire held off Will Thornton to shoot into the corner past Joe Green and restore Spartans lead.

Guiseley thought they had grabbed a second equaliser just before the break but James’ goal was disallowed for offside.

The second half saw the Lions huff and puff without really testing the Blyth defence apart from Curtis Morrison’s shot which brought a good reaction save from Jameson.

It was only when Paul Clayton came on for Kayode Odejayi late on that the home side looked to have any threat.

Indeed, Clayton’s first header set up fellow substitute Scott Smith but his shot was straight into Jameson’s midriff.

But by then the Lions were two goals behind and after Maguire had bagged a second slipping the ball past Green from close in.

Guiseley joint-manager Russ O'Neill said: "We are bitterly disappointed with the manner of the result and the performance.

"Blyth had more intensity than us, they were more physical than us and they were more aggressive than us and it pains me to say it. They deserved to win.

"But it's difficult to be overcritical, let's hope it's a blip.

"We have conceded two poor goals tonight from re-starts. Straight away we were on the back foot.

"Fair play to Blyth, they had more aggression, we need to learn from that.

"Hopefully we can put it right on Saturday. We will then see if we have learned from tonight or not.

"I always say that you learn more when the chips are down. There were one or two things said in the dressing room after the game, but we didn't go overboard.

"A win tonight could have finished off a really good month for us.

"We will re-group in training on Thursday and try to get that fight back."