JOINT-MANAGERS Marcus Bignot and Russ O’Neill were unable to celebrate their 100th game in charge of Guiseley with three points as their side suffered a 2-1 loss at the hands of leaders Gloucester City.

City boasted the two top scorers in the league- with Matt McClure and Akwasi Asante leading the line.

It was Guiseley who had the first chance of the game. The ball fell to George Cantrill in the six yard box and his effort was smothered by Louie Moulden. Kian Harratt’s rebound didn’t have enough venom to ripple the net.

The home side’s early pressure continued with a fantastic cross from Nathan Newell headed over by Gabriel Johnson.

It would take half an hour before the Tigers had their first chance. Alex Whittle’s low cross was hammered against the post from close range by McClure and Ben Morgan’s follow-up effort was fired wayward.

A fast paced counter-attack allowed Prince Ekpolo to play Newell through on goal, but an awkward bounce caused the 19-year-old’s strike to be easily dealt with by Moulden.

City boss James Rowe made a single change at the break, as Bernard Mensah was replaced by Tommy O’Sullivan.

His team came out fighting. A floated delivery by O’Sullivan was met by the head of Liam Daly, but Brad Wade acrobatically prevented a goal.

The visitors earned a great opportunity to break the deadlock when Daly was shoved in the box and awarded a penalty. Up stepped top scorer McClure, who made no mistake and powered the ball down the centre of the goal.

The unbeaten table toppers had now found their rhythm now. A corner was headed down by Daly, Ekpolo butchered the clearance, and Asante profited - rifling a low strike past Wade to double the lead.

Soon after, Newell lofted a cross to the back post, but Cowan’s half volley was diverted around the post.

There was a lifeline for Guiseley late on when an attempted overhead kick clearance from Dawson was bravely challenged by Ekpolo, and the referee pointed to the spot.

The midfielder was handed a second yellow card, and Lebrun Mbeka rocketed the ball into the back of the net to give the hosts some hope.

It was too little too late though for O’Neill and Bignot’s men who now sit 23rd in the Vanarama National League North, albeit after only playing five games.

The former said: “We were rusty the other night (against Darlington). We were physically down so we thought we’d make a change.

“I think we started really well, and had a couple of chances. Nathan Newell got in one on one and I think Kian should probably lift the ball off the floor and score. We could’ve got in front, but it wasn’t meant to be.

“We started to fade a little bit towards the end of the first half and then the second half they had a five-minute spell where they did what top end Conference North teams do. They stayed resilient when they were not playing so well and turned the game on its head.”

Guiseley next travel to bottom of the league Kettering Town on Tuesday night.

Gabriel Ramsey