Preston strikes as Guiseley edge past the Shots

Both teams headed into this match on a good run of form and the two sides had a good chance each within the first 10 minutes.

Guiseley’s Preston made a direct run into the area and fired an effort towards goal but it hit the inside of the post and was cleared away.

Aldershot went up the other end with Nick Arnold producing a shot on the edge of the area that looked like it would loop in, but instead went just wide.

The away side were then somehow denied an opening goal, when Shamir Fenelon was put through one-on-one and his flick looked to be going past Guiseley keeper Jonny Maxted, but the stopper got a finger on the effort and it hit the post.

The second half started with Idris Kanu, showing good skill to move into the penalty area. He went down under a challange from Connor Brown, and the away players appealed to the referee for a penalty, but the protests were waved away.

Cheye Alexander then placed a pass across the face of goal for Matt McLure to tap in for Aldershot, but somehow Ash Palmer blocked the effort and Marcus Williams cleared the ball away. After withstanding the pressure, Guiseley then took the lead when Preston took control of possession in his own penalty area and ran 50 yards before slotting an effort home.

The home side then almost doubled their lead when Will Hatfield was denied by Jake Cole who put a strong hand on the effort and pushed it away for a corner.

Aldershot pushed forward for a leveller and almost got it late on when McLure hit the post in a crowded area from four yards out, but Guiseley held on for the vital win.

Guiseley manager Adam Lockwood was delighted to see his side gain another victory.

He said: “After we lost to North Ferriby United, I needed a reaction and the last three games I have seen that. I’m delighted that we have beaten such a tough team.”

“I talk about the importance of the squad and it was another team effort from my players. We all put a good shift in and can be pleased with the progress we have made.”

Meanwhile in National North, Harrogate Town stretched their unbeaten away run to six matches with a 1-1 draw at Gloucester City.

Simon Ainge continued his fine form in front of goal, almost taking the net off with a thunderous strike after 58 minutes, before the Tigers’ own top marksmen Luke Hopper levelled under a minute later.

FC Halifax Town got back to winning ways with a 3-1 triumph at Bradford Park Avenue as both sides had a goalscorer sent-off.

The game came to life after the interval with Oli Johnson putting Avenue ahead before he was dismissed for a second booking.

Town then fought back with goals from Richard Peniket, substitute Tom Denton and Matty Kosylo, while Peniket was also sent off for elbowing ex-Town man Ryan Toulson.

The result means Town remain in the National North play-off zone, while Park Avenue are one point above the relegation zone.

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EVO-STIK LEAGUE

FARSLEY CELTIC took advantage of Lancaster City’s slip-up at Colwyn Bay to move top of the First Division North thanks to a dramatic 2-1 home victory over derby rivals Ossett Albion.

Things didn’t start well for Celtic as Alex Boachie gave the visitors the lead on 66 minutes, but Adam Clayton brought the hosts level on 79 minutes before Lewis Nightingale’s last-minute goal sent the home fans into raptures.

Title rivals Lancaster City lost 2-0 at Colwyn Bay, so Farsley and City are level at the top of the league with 70 points but Celtic have a vastly superior goal difference so take over the First Division North leadership. They also have two games in hand on Lancaster.

It was a weekend to forget for fifth-placed Ossett Town who lost 4-0 at Bamber Bridge, while goals from Ben Wharton and Michael Fish earned Brighouose Town a 2-2 draw at home to Ramsbottom United.

Carl Stewart’s third-minute goal gave Tadcaster Albion an excellent start at Trafford but the hosts hit back to win 3-1.

In the Premier Division, Frickley Athletic lost 2-1 at Warrington Town after Adam Priestley had given the visitors the lead.

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NCE LEAGUE

PICKERING Town took advantage of Premier Division leaders Cleethorpes Town being in FA Vase action to move within four points of their rivals following a memorable 5-1 home victory over Bottesford Town.

Town went 2-0 up in no time with Nicholas Thompson and Lewis Taylor (penalty) scoring before six minutes was on the clock.

Bottesford pulled one back through Reece Newell on 22 minutes but after then it was one-way traffic as Joseph Danby, Thompson and Ryan Blott added further goals for Paul Marshall’s men.

Tenth-placed Liversedge scored first through Stephen Wales but still slipped to a 2-1 home defeat to Albion Sports.

Asif Hussain and Stephen Smith netted for Albion.

Elsewhere, it was a day to forget for Harrogate Railway as they crashed to a 3-0 defeat at relegation-threatened Parkgate.

In Division One, nine-man AFC Emley scored three late second-half goals to beat Yorkshire Amateur 3-0 and extend their unbeaten run to five games.

Josh Ingham and Kieran Ryan were sent off, along with Amateur midfielder Chris Hitching, following an altercation midway through the first half.

Despite the handicap, Ashley Flynn’s 75th-minute goal and strikes from Matthew Jackson moved second-placed Emley to within four points of leaders Pontefract Collieries.

Pontefract themselves had to settle for a 1-1 draw at Dronfield Town. Christian Savage gave the hosts the lead on 10 minutes before Michael Dunn’s penalty brought the visitors level.

Seventh-placed Knaresborough Town were beaten 2-1 at home by Eccleshill United.

Brad Walker scored Town’s goal.

A first-half goal blitz helped Glasshoughton Welfare chalk up a 3-2 victory over Winterton Rangers.

Goals from Ryan Poskitt on seven and 12 minutes, followed up by an effort by Ashley Scothern put Welfare 3-0 up with only 19 minutes gone.

Winterton hit back with goals from Joseph Pettit and Matthew Crane but they fell just short.

Selby Town were 1-0 winners over Hallam thanks to Calum Ward’s 74th-minute goal, while basement-side Nostell Miners Welfare went down 1-0 at Brigg Town.