GUISELEY moved back into the play-off places in the Vanarama National League North with a hard-earned 3-2 win against Gateshead at the International Stadium.

The Lions were three goals to the good with a little less than 20 minutes remaining before the Heed mounted a comeback that almost earned them at least a point, but ultimately left them tasting defeat at home for the first time in seven games.

Guiseley frontman Aaron Martin marked his return from suspension with a goal, but only after his first strike had been ruled out.

Martin netted an excellent overhead kick but it was disallowed for a high foot, but five minutes later he headed the visitors into a first half lead.

It was almost 50 minutes before Guiseley doubled their advantage and once again it was a header as Hamza Bencherif glanced a Brad Nicholson throw-in past home keeper Brad James.

A third soon followed as Kaine Felix ended a rapid counter attack by slotting past James but the fight back began two minutes later when Nicky Deverdics volleyed past Marcus Dewhurst.

The young keeper, at Guiseley on loan from Premier League outfit Sheffield United, was beaten again as Deverdics turned provider. The Heed midfielder’s 80th-minute free-kick was headed home by Josh Kayode.

Joint Guiseley manager Marcus Bignot was happy with the victory. He said: “I’ll take the responsibility for their (Gateshead) first goal by encouraging our players to keep playing out from the back.

“But we’ll learn from that, certainly those last few minutes after they made it 3-2.

"I think it will have done these young players a world of good, we’re disappointed with the second goal (conceded) because it was a free header.”

Meanwhile, Farsley Celtic are now just above Guiseley in the table after dropping from third to fifth following a 2-0 defeat at Blyth Spartans.

The North East outfit had a shocking start to the season but they are picking up and are unbeaten in their last four, winning three and drawing one. They beat the Celts thanks to two second half strikes.

Club legend Robbie Dale broke the deadlock soon after the hour mark and the home side doubled their lead with a penalty kick.

Farsley keeper Kyle Trenerry brought down substitute Levi Amantchi and Callum Roberts stepped forward to net from the spot.

Blyth’s former Huddersfield Town boss Lee Clark said: “In the last two games, against Chester and Farsley, we’ve played second and third in the league and we’ve shown a lot of quality and fighting spirit.

“We are now a team that shouldn’t be underestimated.”