Bishop’s Stortford 4, Guiseley 1

Guiseley finished with ten men as they slumped to a heavy Blue Square Bet North defeat at lowly Bishop’s Stortford.

But it was not the only shock result as not one of the top four sides could register a victory.

Guiseley, with talismanic striker James Walshaw restored to the starting line-up after rejoining on loan, were off the pace from the first minute and behind after just ten.

An early Walshaw effort had been parried for a corner by the Stortford goalkeeper but Reece Prestedge soon opened the scoring for the Hertfordshire club.

The stopper facing Guiseley’s forward line was Jordan Archer, who was himself on loan – from Premier League high-fliers Tottenham!

The youngster has been farmed out to gain experience but it was obvious he has raw talent and has been excellently coached.

The hosts doubled their advantage through Aaron Wickham in the 19th minute but Archer made another important save minutes later, when a fierce free-kick by Andy Holdsworth was parried for another corner.

A Gavin Rothery cross-shot before the break caused the home side concern, before Walshaw and Simon Baldry went close early in the second half.

The Lions finally made a breakthrough when Lee Ellington scored in the 72nd minute following good work from Danny Boshell.

But it did not spark a revival as Guiseley were soon reduced in numbers following Rothery’s controversial red card.

Dwight Gayle netted the third Stortford goal six minutes from time and Junior Dadson scored again deep into stoppage time to add insult to injury.

The silver lining for the Lions was that leaders Hyde and second-placed Stalybridge Celtic were both beaten, while fourth-placed Nuneaton – who trailed Guiseley by three points having played two games more – were held to a draw at Workington.

All of which means that the Lions hold on to third place and are no further behind the top two.

Guiseley spokesman Stuart Allen said: “We were definitely not at our best. We had lots of possession but couldn’t turn that into goals.

“There is no doubt that their keeper made a big difference but we can’t blame that. We just had too many players who weren’t up to their normal standard on the day.”