GUISELEY wrapped up successive victories in the league for the first time since March as they came back from two goals behind to emerge triumphant at the Sir Tom Finney Stadium on Tuesday evening, writes Edward Robertson.

Manager Mark Bower was pleased with his side’s level of performance and character to complete the comeback. “Despite a difficult 10-15 minutes, I thought we were the better team. We created by far the most chances, and the players showed character, desire and a will to win.”

The Lions suffered a nightmarish start though. After a long spell of Guiseley domination, Billy Bould collected a well timed ball to smack home for the hosts. Referee Daniel Hitchell waved away the Lions’ claims of offside, and Bamber Bridge led within fifteen minutes.

Things went from bad to worse for the visitors when Bridge doubled their lead just three minutes later. Dominant centre back Simon Grand thumped home the host’s second goal from an accurate cross.

Travelling fans prayed for a response, and their prayers were swiftly answered. A direct ball from Lebrun Mbeka found the run of Leo Farrell. The loanee coolly finished into the bottom right corner, to pave a route back into the game for Guiseley.

The visitors then had the lion’s share of possession that followed, but were unable to add an equaliser before the break.

After only ten minutes of the second half, captain Jameel Ible levelled the game. A free kick on the edge of the centre circle was controlled by Ollie Brown. The academy graduate’s low cross flew to Ible, who finished with the composure of an accomplished striker to equalise.

However, Bamber Bridge still carried a punch. Some tidy play by former Lion Lewis Hey crafted a chance for Olly Molloy, whose lobbed shot could only sail over the bar.

Five minutes later, the hosts threatened again. Substitute Danny Edwards skipped past his marker and fired towards goal. An acrobatic save from Joe Cracknell denied him.

The Lions thought they’d won the game with only ten minutes left on the clock. Reece Kendall’s accurate looping cross was turned in by Jordan Thewlis, only for him to be denied by the raised flag of the assistant referee.

As stoppage time ticked on, it looked unlikely the sides would be separated. A free kick from a difficult angle represented a last chance for Guiseley. Longbottom stepped up, and his low effort swung into the bottom corner, sending the travelling Lions into raptures. The new signing seems to be asserting himself as something of a dead-ball specialist, with his second goal directly from a free kick this season.

It was a vital three points for Guiseley that saw them lifted to seventh in the table, a strong position to finish August. The Lions will next face Ashton United at Nethermoor in the Emirates FA Cup First Round Qualifying, and the squad have a huge desire to win.

“I’ve had some terrible luck in the FA Cup” laughed Bower “hopefully this season it will all come together, and we’ll prepare for it like any other, and try and get the job done.”