Vanarama National League: Eastleigh 1 Guiseley 1

MARK Bower’s Guiseley recovered from a bizarre second-minute own goal to earn a valuable point at promotion-chasing Eastleigh.

The pitch at the Silverlake Stadium was in poor condition, and that had more influence on the early setback than centre half Adam Lockwood’s control or keeper Steve Drench’s co-ordination.

Lockwood turned the ball back to his keeper but it reared up over Drench’s foot and trickled into the net.

Drench, with the home crowd jeering his every move, made excellent saves to deny Jai Reason and James Constable later in the first half.

Drench’s opposite number Ross Flitney was also almost embarrassed by the pitch as he was put under pressure by Emile Sinclair.

Flitney’s attempted clearance hit the Lions’ on-loan York City striker but flew wide.

Constable went close with a free-kick but Flitney had to make a smart save from a Ben Parker set-piece.

Guiseley had a good late opportunity as Sinclair went round Flitney but lost control on the difficult surface and was tackled by a covering defender.

Bower said: “After the last game, when we let two points slip away in stoppage time, the lads felt so low in the dressing room, and to go behind as we did like that early on I thought the lads showed tremendous character.

“They didn’t let that get to them and played well and ultimately got the draw. I thought we had the best chances in the second half to have won it so I’m pleased with the lads, their efforts and organisation.

“The own goal was a real blow. Drench was about to clear a routine back pass when it’s taken an inexplicable bobble. It’s bounced up that high that it’s hit him on the shin, and it could have gone anywhere, it could have gone wide but when you’re on a run like we are without a win it ends up in the back of the net.

“The pitch was so poor and to be playing a game like that with the quality of players on show on that surface is very disappointing.”