Vanarama National League: Guiseley 1 Eastleigh 4

A SECOND defeat on the trot dropped Guiseley down to 16th in what was yet another harsh lesson.

The Lions were in complete control in the early stages, thanks to an energetic start, but were hit by a quick counter-attack when they went a goal down midway through the first half.

The visitors doubled their lead on the half-hour and, although Guiseley pegged one back, they really should have led at the break.

A superb chance to level on the stroke of half-time was squandered by assistant player-manager Danny Boshell as he blazed over from inside the area with the goal gaping.

Lions boss Mark Bower said: “I thought we played well, and not just in spells but for most of the game, and in what were difficult conditions.

“We have got a few injuries at the moment and we had a makeshift back four and a couple of players in the side that haven’t played a lot of football lately. With the players we had available, we felt it would be difficult late on.

“There were chances and we stayed in the game – even at 3-1 down if Wayne (Brooksby) had put that one away there was still time.

"Danny will be disappointed with himself for the one just before half-time, and I thought we deserved to at least be level.

“Eastleigh are one of the biggest spenders in the division and have got some very good players.

"They took their chances while we didn’t, and that’s the difference between us and the sides at the top of this league.

Guiseley had begun well with a high-tempo approach but without really troubling visiting keeper Russ Flitney.

Eastleigh striker James Constable was on target with their first goal attempt but his tenth-minute shot was deflected for a corner.

The visitors didn’t threaten again until skipper Andy Drury gave them a 22nd-minute lead.

It stemmed from a quick break as left back Michael Green used his considerable pace, and his chip picked out the unmarked Drury, who buried the chance.

On the half-hour, Lee Cook’s curled free-kick was converted by a simple header by right back Joe Partington.

Eastleigh were playing a dangerous game with the offside trap, however, and Adam Boyes managed to slip it five minutes before the break and kept his composure as he steered the ball past Flitney into the bottom corner.

The Lions were not out of the game, even after Drury’s 73rd-minute shot from the edge of the area left Lions’ keeper Steve Drench flat-footed. Bower made substitutions to freshen up his attack, Brooksby being one of them, but there was no late comeback and Jai Reason rubbed salt in the Lions’ wounds with a last-minute tap-in.