Chester 1 Guiseley 0 - Early goal enough to tame the Lions

After the game Lions joint-manager Marcus Bignot said: “We had some good chances in this game, we have to move on and focus on the Farsley game at the weekend.”

It was almost an ideal start for the Lions, just three minutes in, John Lufudu produced a powerful run into the area, his shot took a deflection and hit the post.

The hosts broke forward moments later, with a John Johnston cross being excellently cleared by George Cantrill, with players behind ready looking ready to score.

But Chester did take the lead with just five minutes on the clock, a corner found Kevin Roberts who had a free header and simply couldn’t miss.

After such a frantic start, the game did start to calm down a little, though Declan Weeks had a chance to make it two, but he failed to make proper contact with a header.

Guiseley so nearly levelled when Kaine Felix, in the six- yard box fired towards goal, but Connor Taylor was in the right place to make the block.

Guiseley started the second-half brightly with Lebrun Mbeka having a poked effort saved well by Louis Gray.

Chester were down to ten men with 20 minutes to go, Simon Grand was given a straight red card for a foul on Felix, when the referee adjudged he was the last man.

The hosts were now seeing the game out, with Guiseley having one last chance late on, with Nathan Newall seeing his cross land on the top of the net, as the Lions started 2021 with a defeat.

Guiseley will look to get their first win of the year when they face hosts Farsley Celtic in a rearranged Yorkshire derby that was due to be played on New Year’s Day.

Kidderminster Harriers twice came from behind to draw 2-2 with visiting York City, who drop to seventh.

The Minstermen took an early lead through Michael Woods, cancelled out by former City man Keith Lowe.

Sean Newton’s penalty early in the second half restored York’s lead before Kiddy sub Jason Cowley levelled again with ten minutes remaining.

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