CHESTER failed to beat Guiseley’s ten men as the Lions drew 1-1 at the Swansway Chester Stadium to register their 11th National North stalemate of the season.

Andy Halls was the recipient of a red card in the 38th minute following a coming together with Chester skipper Gary Roberts in midfield.

The Guiseley management duo had to reassess and even though they were a goal up at the time they made a positive change.

Full back Cliff Moyo was sacrificed with Will Thornton coming on in his place to take Halls’ place in the centre of defence. That meant a change to a back three which allowed the Lions to keep both Rowan Liburd and Kayode Odejayi up front.

It did however mean that it was a baptism of fire for one of Guiseley’s two debutants after the club boosted its squad with the loan signings of Josh Langley and George Cantrill.

Langley had started alongside Halls in a back four but the experienced centre-back, who joined from rivals Southport, took it in his stride. Cantrill is a young midfielder who joined from Sheffield United, and both have signed one-month loan deals.

Halls had earlier provided the assist for the opening goal as Guiseley took a 19th minute lead – his free kick delivery being converted by the head of Odejayi.

The visitors expected a chance to double their lead just before the interval when Curtis Morrison appeared to be brought down in the area but the referee waved their penalty appeals away.

It was a former Lion who grabbed the home side’s deserved equaliser ten minutes into the second half. Roberts delivered an excellent cross and Anthony Dudley met it to head past Marcus Dewhurst in the Guiseley goal.

It was tough on the young loanee keeper as he had made some good saves throughout the game.

The Blues kept the pressure on and one of their substitutes, Nathan Brown, almost scored while another, Matt Waters, provided Simon Grand with a late chance that was headed inches wide.

Guiseley joint manager Marcus Bignot, who was in charge of Chester last season, said: “First and foremost it was an eventful afternoon.

“When you look at the two games we’ve played against a very good Chester team there seems to be a lot of drama.

"Their last minute goal from nowhere at our place for them to get a draw and the sending off so early in this game has changed the landscape of it and where it was heading.

“I actually thought it was a foul on Andy Halls. I know Gary Roberts very well and they are two committed players and it looked like Robbo was the one who was on the borderline. I spoke to him after the game and he just confirmed that Hallsy won the ball.

“I thought that the two new players acquitted themselves very well. Josh only met the players on the morning of the game but we managed to get George in on Thursday and we’re really delighted to have them both.

“They will help the current squad who are giving everything they’ve got.”