STOCKPORT COUNTY 3-1 GUISELEY

An Alex Reid brace and an incredible strike from John Rooney was enough to cancel out Jon Wafula’s first half goal, as the 10-man Lions bowed out of the Buildbase FA Trophy.

Guiseley were undone in the second period, after captain Hamza Bencherif received his marching orders, by a team in the league above striving for promotion to the Football League.

Joint Lions boss Marcus Bignot praised his side’s performance, but questioned the sending off which undoubtedly changed the match.

He said: “Up until the sending off, we were really happy in terms of the way we went about things. We had a game plan and it was working. We contained them and there was nothing in the game.

"We are disappointed in a decision that, without looking back at it, we think was very harsh to be a double jeopardy. Yes, the penalty we are not disagreeing with, but to be sent off as well.

“It changed the course of the game completely. After that you really saw the quality of Stockport."

Guiseley made the trip to Edgley Park in good form, picking up consecutive victories to lift them out of the relegation zone.

It took 20 minutes before the game sparked into life. Macauley Southam-Hales' free kick was headed onto the post by Louis Britton, the follow up from Ash Palmer was miraculously diverted by Wafula on the line.

On the brink of half time, the visitors grabbed the opening goal. A through ball caused County keeper Josh Barnes to hesitate and misread Wafula’s pace as he poked through the youngster's legs.

Guiseley could have doubled their advantage when Lebrun Mbeka got on the end of a long throw, but his looping header bounced narrowly wide.

Then came the controversy as Stockport were granted a lifeline by referee Lewis Smith. Bencherif dragged down Reid deep in the box, leading to Smith brandishing a red card.

Up stepped the victim of the foul, but his penalty sailed aimlessly over the bar - a huge let off for the Lions.

Brad Wade was forced to turn Britton’s header around the post before acrobatically denying Reid.

However, the continuous Stockport pressure finally had a resolution. The striker made up for his spot kick miss and got onto the end of Rooney’s cross by nodding into the bottom corner.

Soon after, Reid picked up another by latching onto a pass from Ryan Croasdale and blasting past Wade from close range.

The home side finished off the game in outstanding fashion, as Rooney, brother of Wayne, pounced onto the loose ball and directed it into the top corner from 24 yards.

Guiseley now turn their focus back to league action with a local derby on Boxing Day against Farsley Celtic at Nethermoor.

Gabriel Ramsey