North Ferriby United 4, Guiseley 4

GUISELEY had to come from two goals down to grab a share of the spoils from an eight-goal thriller at North Ferriby United.

Ferriby, who finished second last season and were then knocked out of the play offs by the Lions, were looking to close the gap on their visitors, who remain fifth in Vanarama Conference North.

The match had an explosive beginning and the balance swung throughout but a draw was possibly the fair outcome.

Guiseley boss Mark Bower admitted: "It wasn't an easy one for me to watch.

"We discussed their strengths and what they were looking to do at half-time. We talked about not giving free-kicks away and about being first to react to second balls.

"Then we come out and within ten minutes we have given two cheap free-kicks away and are 4-2 down. We also didn't react to second balls in and around our box.

"I'm pleased to get a draw in the end because we've got a few struggling with knocks and there is a bit of illness flying around the camp.

"Ferriby play a very high line and we got into the space behind them. They are difficult to play against and it's a difficult place to come.

"They are a team that will be up there at the end of the season and you can see why they get results and are effective in what they do, so I'll take a point."

Guiseley took a second-minute lead when Adam Boyes was presented with an opening after a weak pass between the home keeper and a defender. But Ferriby were soon on terms as Liam King netted.

Ferriby's former Bradford Park Avenue winger Jason St Juste was lively and, just after the half-hour mark, his cross was headed home by Tom Denton.

But the Lions were level at the break thanks to Boyes, who bagged his brace with a good volley after a through-ball over the home side's back line.

The second half started similarly to the first and saw three goals in 11 hectic minutes.

St Juste was left unmarked and slotted in after collecting a downward header – and minutes later it was Denton's turn to get a double as he tapped in from three yards after Guiseley keeper Steve Drench had got his fingers to a St Juste cross.

The Lions were far from finished and Danny Lowe chipped the home keeper to make it 4-3 with 34 minutes still to go.

It took them a long while but they did finally get their equaliser three minutes from time when substitute Oli Johnson headed in Wayne Brooksby's corner.