Guiseley let lead slip in controversial encounter with Gateshead

A stadium announcement had to be made warning the game could be abandoned, if the abuse continued.

And after the match Guiseley joint-manager Russ O’Neill said: “I thought the referee, the opposition manager and players handled the situation well. Obviously it is something we cannot accept.

“In terms of the game, it’s disappointing to be so near to gaining what would have been a good victory, we just couldn’t see it out.”

The hosts made the perfect start taking the lead with just four minutes gone, a cross by Gabriel Johnson found Andrai Jones who volleyed in his effort from close range.

The quick start continued with Gateshead coming close this time, a ball over the top saw an on rushing Ruairi Keating attempt to place an effort past Brad Wade. The Guiseley keeper though made an impressive save pushing the ball past the post. Guiseley doubled their advantage with 20 minutes gone, a Lee Shaw shot was saved by Brad James and fell to Aaron Martin who scored his 17th of the season in the process.

After the announcement had been made over the tannoy, the tempo of the rest of the half, came to almost a complete stop.

The visitors tried to get out of the blocks during the second-half, Wade though would deny them again when Greg Olley saw his effort kept out by the keeper’s legs.

In the latter stages of the game, Guiseley nearly got a third, but Martin’s powerful header was kept out, with Brad James producing an impressive stop to tip his effort away.

Late on Olley would get his goal, scoring on the half-volley at the near post.

In added time Gateshead equalised, they pushed players forward and Jake Cooper was in the right place to head in, as the visitors celebrated and Guiseley were left frustrated at dropping two points late on.

A 2-0 triumph over Blyth Spartans saw Farsley Celtic end a run of five home fixtures without a win.

Dave Syers had an effort disallowed for offside, before opening the scoring on 38 minutes after charging clear through on the away goal.

A scrambled Jimmy Spencer attempt also came back off an upright before he added a second home goal just after the hour mark.

Elsewhere, York City won 1-0 at Kidderminster to go top of the National League North table.

The Minstermen took full advantage of long-time leaders King’s Lynn’s postponed clash against Altrincham to go two points clear of their title rivals, who have three games in hand but a growing fixture backlog.

Marquee summer signing Dan Maguire has been restricted to just two goals – largely due to injury – for Steve Watson’s side following his switch from Blyth but both have been crucial with his 46th-minute effort in this match following his first in another 1-0 triumph at Chester back in October.

The former England C forward showed his predatory instincts when he intercepted Alex Penny’s attempted header back to Will Mannion and found the Kidderminster keeper’s bottom corner.

York net-minder Pete Jameson was still needed, however, to safeguard the points and secure a 17th clean sheet of the season with a superb 87th-minute save to prevent Ashley Hemmings from finding his top corner with a long-range drive.