FOLLOWING their 4-1 win over Carlisle in very windy and slippery conditions at Leeds Trinity University, Guiseley Academy continued their quest for the National League Under-19 Alliance Division One title by defeating their closest rivals South Shields 2-1 on Tyneside.

The young Lions made the trip up north to play a vital six pointer against a strong South Shields team and returned with the points from a game played at the home of the famous Wallsend Boys Club, which produced the likes of Alan Shearer, Michael Carrick, Steve Bruce and numerous other successful professional players. Another is Graham Fenton, who now manages the youth team at South Shields.

Guiseley were under no illusions as to the size of the task before them and they started brightly but so too did their opponents. For 94 minutes, the teams attacked each other and the spectators were given a real treat.

There was no score until the 70th minute when Guiseley substitute Robbie Fox received the ball wide right, ran at the full-back then cut inside into the box to slot past the keeper with his left foot.

As expected, South Shields upped the pace and started to dominate possession but the Guiseley boys still looked very dangerous on the counter. With six minutes remaining South Shields scored an equaliser.

At this point, Guiseley were literally on the floor, some playing through injury whilst others had run themselves into the ground. But they found the energy to pick themselves up.

They got their reward on 88 minutes when Adam Haw chased down a back pass and then won the race for the ball out wide before producing a perfect cut-back to the edge of the box.

This was met by Kieron Ceesay, who showed great composure to slam the ball into the bottom left-hand corner to put the young Lions in front again.

The players then showed great maturity to see the game out and win a vital three points in the race for the league title.

In the win over Carlisle, Ceesay netted the opening goal in the early minutes of the game and others followed from Aleks Starcenko, Luke Waddington and Adam Haw.

Guiseley have four games remaining and currently hold an eight-point margin over second placed York City, who have played a game more.