Defeat at Ebbsfleet leaves Guiseley seven points from safety

This result sees Guiseley remain second bottom in the National League but they are now seven points away from safety with two games in hand.

The hosts deserved their victory with the scoreline being a fair reflection of how the game went.

Despite a promising start for Guiseley with their impressive build-up play, they couldn’t create an opening that could have changed the game.

Luke Coulson was the first to test Jonny Maxted early on with the Guiseley goalkeeper doing well to keep the header out.

But Ebbsfleet took the lead with the next attack as a fine Jack Powell free-kick curled into the top corner.

The Lions could have equalised when John Rooney crossed for Rowan Liburd but his header hit the crossbar and from then on the hosts were on top and doubled their lead before the break.

Ash Palmer gave away a penalty when he was adjudged to have fouled Sean Shields and Danny Kedwell fired down the middle to make it 2-0 just before the teams went in for half-time.

The second 45 minutes saw Guiseley try a number of efforts from distance but were not able to cause any real problems as Ebbsfleet added a third goal with Chris Bush scoring with a header from a corner and Myles Weston completed their emphatic win with a powerful run and finish into the bottom left-hand corner.

Guiseley manager Paul Cox said after the game: “This is something I am not happy about. We know we need points and to move up the table as soon as we can.

“Next week our focus will be on the FA Trophy as we look to progress in that but we know how important the league matches will be afterwards.”

Elsewhere, FC Halifax Town won for the first time in 13 games as they battled to a terrific 1-0 victory at Aldershot.

On the face of it, a win at Aldershot seemed as unlikely as their last away win at Leyton Orient was three months ago.

But Scott McManus put Town ahead five minutes before the break to give Halifax a half-time lead for the first time since that win at Orient.

And the Shaymen held on for a precious three points –their first since September 23 – and for only their second clean sheet in 11 games.

In National North, second-placed Harrogate Town’s match at Nuneaton Town was postponed due to a frozen pitch as was Bradford Park Avenue’s home clash with Tamworth.

All matches involving our sides in the Evo-Stik League were postponed due to frozen pitches on Saturday but two games did survive the freeze in the NCE League Division One.

Four goals from Joseph Dale and a James Bytheway own goal saw Selby Town crush Rossington Main 5-0 and move up to fifth place in the table.

Elsewhere, Nostell MW picked up a vital 2-1 victory over fellow strugglers Retford United thanks to goals from Jack Owen and Daniel Collins.