TEENAGE strike sensation Josh Stones celebrated his English Schools Under-18 call up by netting his first league goal for Guiseley's first team, a goal that clinched all three points for The Lions at Telford on Tuesday night.

It was a battling performance by Guiseley who named only four subs after late in the day losing George Cantrill and Jacob Gratton, both awaiting the results of Covid tests. They were already without long term injured Kaine Felix, Bailey Thompson and Shaun Tuton along with Jordan Thewlis.

Without these four strikers young Stones stepped up to lead the line in fine style and his thunderous header in the 85th minute was no more than he deserved for an excellent all round performance.

The whole team rose to the challenge with midfielder Andy Kellett, back after a long injury lay-off, moving up to share the striking partnership with Stones. Guiseley set out to do a job on the division's bottom side and they maintained their discipline throughout and improved their game management to hold off the challenge of their hosts.

Guisley got themselves into a good attacking position with Stones on the ball but the move was brought back for a free-kick to Guiseley. Jamie Spencer took the free-kick but skied the ball into the crowd behind the goal.

There was certainly an improvement in Guiseley's play of late with them winning plenty of second ball possession. Guiseley were enjoying the bigger share of possession but Telford saw more of the action in the penalty box.

Theo Streete headed away a Kellett shot but then the vastly experienced centre-back was put on his backside by young Stones who was proving a real handful.

For a time Telford exploited the gap on the left between makeshift left wing back Ollie Brown and fellow teenager Jake Hull. The youngsters however settled to the task and tightened things up.

Guiseley fans were getting excited by the number of strikes midfielder Prince Ekpolo was getting in and he was twice thwarted by the crossbar as he strove to register his first goal in the three seasons he has been with Guiseley.

The 17 year-old Northern Ireland Under-18s 'keeper Owen Mason made a good impression with his excellent distribution and the distance he was getting on his kicks. His teenage teammate Stones meanwhile was leading the line well against a very experienced defence. He had a shot which went narrowly wide of the post. Brown had a shot blocked and Spencer tested the 'keeper. Guiseley were on top as the game approached the break with an off-side flag preventing Stones from scoring.

Telford came out fired up for the second-half but Guiseley were resilient and they had to be against a side who looked dangerous from set pieces. Guiseley continued to attack with Regan Hutchinson showing up well. Brown was starting to play with great confidence both in defence and attack.

Telford camped in Guiseley territory for a while and a terrific drive from Lilley was just wide of the post. In the 66th minute Kellett was replaced by Lewis Hey making it six 'teenagers on the pitch for Guiseley.

Hey was soon in the action and his corner was blocked by Streete before Lebrun Mbeka set up Spencer who again failed to find the target. Stones had a chance when he was one on one with the 'keeper but lost out. Hey had flicked the ball on for Stones but the chance came too quickly for him to get the ball under control.

Stones was wiped out by the 'keeper but got straight up and applied further pressure on the Telford defence as his side pressed for a winner. It was just reward that the winner came from Stones as he had worked hard throughout the game.

Spencer played a magnificent ball to Stones at the back post and the youngster responded with a thunderous header to give Guiseley a deserved win.

Guiseley replaced Hutchinson with defender Brad Nicholson in the 88th minute to shut the door on Telford and preserve their grip on the three points.

Guiseley now move on to face local rivals Farsley Celtic at The Citadel on Boxing Day.

GUISELEY: Owen Mason; Andy Hollins, Hamza Bencherif, Jake Hull; Regan Hutchinson (Brad Nicholson 88), Lebrun Mbeka, Jamie Spencer, Prince Ekpolo, Ollie Brown; Andy Kellett (Lewis Hey 66), Josh Stones. Subs not used: Declan Lambton, Adam Haw.