Hamza Bencherif sees red as Guiseley slip to FA Trophy defeat at Stockport County

It was a slow start, but the Lions nearly took the lead with their first chance. A corner found Hamza Bencherif who rose well and saw his header deflect off a County defender and go just wide.

The home side were next to go close, a Macauley Southam-Hales free-kick was headed on by Louis Britton and hit the post, with ex-Lion Ash Palmer seeing his rebound cleared off the line.

Guiseley did go ahead on 36 minutes. County goalkeeper Josh Barnes hesitated and Jonathan Wafula took full advantage, sliding the ball through his legs and into the net.

The Lions started the second half with the same tempo almost doubling their lead when a long throw fell for Lebrun Mbeka, but his header drifted just wide.

Then came the turning point in the match. Alex Reid was brought down in the area by Bencherif, with the push being deemed worthy of a penalty and a red card. Despite Reid missing from the spot, County took control of the game.

Brad Wade was being tested at every given opportunity and despite three good saves, he was eventually beaten by Reid, who glanced in a header from a John Rooney corner.

Minutes later the home side had turned the game on its head. Ryan Croasdale beat his man and passed to Reid who took a touch and fired in.

The game was now past 90 minutes but there was still time for ex-Lion Rooney to find the top corner with a fine effort to wrap up the hosts’ win, as Guiseley bowed out of the FA Trophy.

After the match joint-manager Marcus Bignot said: “We were comfortable and happy with how the game was heading then gave the penalty away. I won’t disagree with that but the red card as well – the referee has deemed it worthy of double jeopardy.”

Elsewhere, Farsley Celtic’s run of four straight victories was ended in emphatic fashion as Adam Lakeland’s men crashed out of the Trophy 4-0 at National League hosts Solihull Moors.

The visitors fell behind just past the half-hour mark courtesy of a spectacular curling effort from Kyle Huddin.

Solihull doubled their advantage midway through the second period courtesy of a scrambled Krystian Pearce effort following Jamie Ward’s corner.

Cameron Archer then made it 3-0 shortly afterwards and Mitch Hancox completed the scoring on 80 minutes.

Guiseley and Farsley are next in action on Boxing Day when the pair meet in a West Yorkshire derby in the National League North at Nethermoor.