Vanarama National League North: FC United of Manchester 3 Guiseley 3

GUISELEY'S draw in a relegation clash at FC United of Manchester will feel like a loss after shipping two late goals at 3-1 to the good.

The visitors had the lead going into the final quarter hour of the battle at Broadhurst Park, but a controversial penalty for the home side saw that advantage begin to slip away.

FC United are still second from bottom in the Vanarama National North but it will feel like a win for them as they brought an end to a run of four straight defeats.

The Lions have now drawn 15 of their 30 league games.

Guiseley had made an early breakthrough, scoring in the eighth minute.

Having forced a corner the set piece was delivered and it was converted by a header from former Bantam Niall Heaton.

But, just before the half hour mark FC United of Manchester equalised through skipper Kurt Willoughby who hit a super free-kick.

A foul around 23 yards out in a central position had the striker licking his lips and he dipped his effort over the wall and into the corner of Marcus Dewhurst’s net.

The young keeper got a hand to the ball but couldn’t keep it out.

However, the Lions hit back minutes after the equaliser through Rowan Liburd.

It came from a breakaway but was finished with aplomb as the striker raced clear and then with only FC United keeper Andy Fisher to beat he went for pinpoint accuracy rather than power.

They took their 2-1 lead into the interval and doubled it midway through the second half when Will Hatfield emulated Liburd’s strike with a one-on-one finish.

The two goal deficit stirred the Mancunians into life though and Dewhurst had to make a superb save to tip a close range header onto his bar.

But he was soon to be beaten from the spot.

Pressure from the home side had forced a corner and when the ball was delivered the referee decided that Chris Lynch had been held back.

Even the home side were surprised by the award but Willoughby accepted the gift.

The comeback was completed when a misplaced pass sent FC United substitute Tom Peers clear and he drew Dewhurst off his line before rounding him and slotting in.

Guiseley joint manager Marcus Bignot was not impressed but he remained philosophical,

He said: “I’m really disappointed for the players because at 3-1 we were in total control.

“Out of nothing, out of the blue, we get a penalty given against us and it switched the whole momentum of the game in their favour. I saw them against Altrincham when they were behind, and when they have nothing to lose they become formidable – especially with these passionate supporters behind them.

“An individual mistake – I’m gutted for the player - and its 3-3 out of nowhere.

"We haven’t lost and there’s loads of positives so I’m not going to dwell on a decision that changed the momentum and the game, and one mistake, because if you go on about those you can miss the massive positives.”