FORMER Republic of Ireland international Sean St Ledger was in temporary charge for the first time as his Guiseley side lost 3-1 at home to Maidenhead United, who are managed by former England man Alan Devonshire.

St Ledger was only recently brought to Nethermoor by Paul Cox and, as a senior professional, the club turned to him to oversee training when Cox was dismissed in midweek.

That task led to him being in charge for the visit of the Magpies, who moved up to 12th after their straight-forward victory. For the Lions the passion was still there and the not inconsiderable skill levels were still on display.

The outcome, however, remained the same as Guiseley slumped to their seventh consecutive defeat, leaving them at the foot of the National League.

After a hectic few days, St Ledger said: “I’ve been excited, it’s a new challenge and I was looking forward to the game for the last few days but it’s all about results on a Saturday and obviously a defeat takes all of the excitement away.

“It leaves you with disappointment, frustration and anger. The only good thing is that there’s a quick turnaround and we’ve got a game on Tuesday to try to put it right. But the games are running out and the previous management have said that so I don’t want to sound like a parrot.”

There was a new captain, as striker Kayade Odejayi led the side, and recalls to the bench for midfielders John Rooney and Alex Purver.

The home crowd were fully behind the side and were rewarded as Guiseley broke the deadlock midway through the first half. After a good run down the left Dayle Southwell netted from an acute angle.

The Magpies striker Jake Hyde had already proved to be the visitors’ biggest threat and he levelled ten minutes later. He pounced as Guiseley failed to clear a corner and stabbed a shot across the face of Luke Coddington’s goal.

Maidenhead put the result beyond doubt with goals either side of the break inside just four minutes. Harry Pritchard netted both as he gave the Magpies a 44th-minute lead and then made it 3-1 just into the second half.

Pritchard netted his first when he fired in an angled shot after getting the better of his marker. The second came as the visitors launched a quick counter-attack after the Lions had forced a corner.

St Ledger, who didn’t pick himself, added: “We’ve obviously not kept a clean sheet. We keep conceding goals and we need to stop that. We scored from open play today but we’ve also shipped them in so there’s a lot to work on.

“As a player I can see that but I was a manager today. I chose to do that because I wanted to do one of the jobs well.

“The owner and the board have asked me to take charge and I’m doing that on a day to day basis. If that turns into a game to game thing then I’m fine with that.

“I’m paid by the club as a player but I will do what I’m asked to do.”