GUISELEY extended their unbeaten run in Vanarama National League North to six games with this 1-1 draw but it could have been so much better for them as Chester were gifted a stoppage-time equaliser.

The Lions had only broken the deadlock in the 88th minute but were hit by the sucker punch three minutes into stoppage time, with both goals coming from set- pieces.

It was Guiseley skipper Scott Garner who put the home side in front as he got his head to a free-kick and steered the ball in off the top of Chester keeper Grant Shenton’s left -hand post.

The reply came when there was a defensive mix up in the home side’s area.

The ball was whipped in and as Guiseley keeper Joe Green came a long way off his line, two of his defenders went up for the aerial challenge in front of him and Blues centre back Jon Moran headed the ball into the unguarded net.

The equaliser completely changed the mood at Nethermoor as the Lions supporters had been in raptures when their captain had netted but the Guiseley faithful were stunned into silence as the Blues’ fans roared with delight when Moran’s header hit the back of Green’s net.

However, the emotions could have swung back a minute later as Kaine Felix, who had again terrorised a defence with his pace, rounded Shenton in the last of the five minutes of added time but his shot from an angle was superbly blocked by Simon Grand.

It had been an absorbing afternoon and an entertaining game, despite the scorers not being troubled until the final few minutes.

It had been a battle between two teams both determined to win as attack was followed by counter-attack.

But the result did neither club any favours, even though it meant that Guiseley have not lost since the first week of the season.

The Lions moved up one place to 14th with eight points from eight games, while Chester remained in 19th place as they also have one point per game but they have completed only five league fixtures.

Joint Lions boss Russ O’Neil said: “They (Chester) have got their music blasting out in their dressing room because they’re delighted to get a draw from it but it’s been a last-minute goal!

“Our keeper has been outstanding all game, and that one error in the last minute has cost us two points.

“But, ultimately, I didn’t think that we turned up in the first half.

“However, we came in and had a few words and I think we should have taken the three points.

“But when you look at it we should have been in the game for 90 minutes, not 45, and it’s that that I’m disappointed with.”

IAN WHITING