Guiseley 2 Sutton United 1

John Rooney became an instant hero at Nethermoor as he marked his debut with a stoppage time winner that lifted Guiseley out of the National League relegation zone.

The Lions faithful were cursing the England captain’s brother just ten days ago as he came off the bench for Wrexham to bag a late brace, one of them a superb stoppage time free kick, to condemn their side to a 3-1 defeat at the Racecourse Ground.

Last night was a different story as Rooney, who started following his signing on loan from the Welsh outfit until the end of the season earlier in the day, netted in the third minute of the four added on.

Jake Cassidy had given the Lions an early lead when he headed home Kevan Hurst’s seventh minute corner. The visitors hit back from the penalty spot, however, as Matt Tubbs picked himself up after being fouled in the area in the 36th minute and then drilled the spot kick past home keeper Jon Maxted.

After providing the assist for the Lions’ opener Hurst had to make way during the interval and Jordan Preston was introduced.

Guiseley boss Adam Lockwood made two more substitutions in the second half, both positive ones, with strikers Michael Rankine and Adam Boyes coming off the bench.

But the home side had to wait until deep into stoppage time before Rooney brought the house down. He slotted a low centre from Marcus Williams past the visitors’ keeper.

Guiseley leapt above Southport and Maidstone United and out of the bottom four with last night’s win. Lockwood’s men now have a two point cushion on the sides in the relegation places.

Sutton will lose no sleep over their league defeat at Nethermoor as their next fixture is at home to Arsenal. The U’s next opponents are Arsene Wenger’s Premier League high flyers in the quarter-finals of the FA Cup. In the glare of the cameras as Monday night’s tie will be screened live on BBC.