Guiseley just three wins away from Wembley

Nearly 2,000 fans were in attendance to watch the Lions progress past their London-based, hosts who ply their trade in the Isthmian League Premier Division.

Guiseley took the lead with just a quarter of an hour gone when James Hurst stuck a sweet volley which beat the hosts’ goalkeeper and gave the away side the crucial first goal.

Both sides were creating chances with the home side’s Danny Waldren hitting an effort which was easily saved by the Guiseley keeper Steve Drench.

But the Lions were soon two goals to the good when Anthony Dudley – back on loan from Bury until the end of the season – saw his effort take a deflection which ensured the ball hit the back of the net.

Guiseley could have then added a third but Adam Boyes saw a number of efforts saved by home goalkeeper Phil Wilson.

The custodian’s efforts kept the game alive and just before half-time Mitchell Nelson was able to get his head on to a cross and grab a goal back for Hamlet.

The second half started with both sides pushing forward and the two goalkeepers were kept busy in making a number of good saves.

Guiseley’s Will Hatfield looked to have added to the score towards the end when Danny Boshell’s cross was met by the midfielder with a diving header but his effort went just wide of the goal.

The hosts, who are two division below Guiseley, then looked to have grabbed a replay right at the end with the last chance of the match.

A corner was swung into the area and led to a goalmouth scramble and the ball hit the bar and then the upright as Guiseley were eventually able to hold their lines and clear.

Guiseley, who are 18th in National League North, return to league action on Saturday at ninth-placed Lincoln City.

The draw for the FA Trophy third round will take place this morning.

FC Halifax Town were also due to be on FA Trophy duty on Saturday but their clash with Barrow was postponed at The Shay. The game will be replayed tomorrow evening.

Bradford Park Avenue’s FA Trophy hosting of Nantwich Town was also postponed on Saturday with the team now facing a daunting fixture backlog. Avenue, who are 15th in National League North, have played only 21 league games so far this season – the fewest in the division – with the weather taking a heavy toll. Avenue are due to travel to fifth-bottom Worcester City in the league tomorrow evening.

Harrogate Town’s league trip to Tamworth was also postponed on Saturday.

Town, who are sixth in the division, return to action next Saturday at home to league leaders Solihull Moors.

****

OSSETT ALBION featured in one of just six surviving games in the EvoStik League on Saturday, but fell to a 3-1 reverse at home to promotion-chasing rivals Lancaster City in First Division North.

Albion looked set for a good day when Robert Bordman gave them a 12th-minute lead and the hosts still led 1-0 at the break. However, Tom Kilifin levelled just three minutes after the break and Lancaster went ahead with a Zach Clark strike 14 minutes from time.

Ryan Winder then bagged the away side’s third goal eight minutes from time.

Albion could have gone third with victory but stay in fourth with Lancaster now up to seventh. In the division’s only other two surviving games, Warrington Town were 4-2 victors at home to Northwich Victoria while Witton Albion beat visiting Radcliffe Borough 2-0.

Just one game got the go-ahead in the Premier Division with Workington obliging 1-0 at Grantham Town.

In First Division South, Stafford Rangers won 3-1 at Romulus while Market Drayton Town enjoyed a 1-0 success at Loughborough Dynamo.

About half of the scheduled fixtures in the NCE League survived with Hemsworth Miners Welfare pulling six points clear at the top of Division One with a dramatic 3-2 success at home to Grimsby Borough.

Hemsworth trailed 2-0 at the break to a Jamie Coulson brace but Bill Law pulled a goal back 11 minutes after the interval.

Nicholas Guest then equalised with just two minutes remaining before bagging a dramatic last-minute winner.

Glasshoughton Welfare also enjoyed a 3-1 triumph at Rossington Main as the away side’s Josh Morley, Ashley Scothern and Luke Durham all bagged a goal each.

But Eccleshill United were floored 5-0 at Winterton Rangers who were inspired a brace from Robbie Start.

In the Premier, Liversedge were undone by a Kieran Watson hat-trick in a 3-1 loss st Stavley Miners Welfare.

A Max Elliott strike was in vain for the visitors.

High-flying Bridlington Town were thankful to a late penalty in a 2-1 win at home to Clipstone.