GUISELEY fought back from two goals behind against a spirited Warrington Rylands side to secure a point at Nethermoor on Saturday, writes David Bridson.

Will Longbottom’s spectacular 78th minute free-kick equaliser ensured the Lions took a share of the spoils.

Rylands went ahead via a 41st minute Ben Hardcastle penalty. The same player was brought down by Ollie Brown during a fierce away attack. Home goalkeeper Joe Cracknell nearly got a hand to it but Hardcastle dispatched his kick neatly into the far right corner.

Substitute Ntumba Massanka finished off a slick move to double the away side’s advantage just before the hour mark.

It was also an inspired change which helped Guiseley begin their comeback. Jordan Thewlis, who replaced Adriano Moke, fired into the bottom right hand corner in the 65th minute to give the Lions hope.

The opposition threatened early with Hardcastle blasting over the bar in the third minute. Lebrun Mbeka made a decent challenge on away striker George Waring to prevent another chance four minutes later.

John Lufufu’s effort was well caught by Warrington ‘keeper Luke Pilling in the tenth minute. Four minutes later Jack Emmett’s shot slipped wide. Brown’s neat cross only just evaded Lufufu in the 21st minute.

The game became bad tempered on the half hour mark as Moke was yellow carded for simulation. Another Guiseley surge forward saw Scott Holding booked for shoving Will Longbottom into the advertising boards. Longbottom’s immediate reaction also saw him in the referee’s notebook.

Longbottom’s beautiful curling corner was headed off the line before Moke struck straight at Pilling. Hardcastle’s penalty saw the Lions one behind at the break.

Guiseley sought an equaliser as a tidy one-two between Prince Ekpolo and Lufudu saw the latter’s cross fly across the box in the 48th minute. Joe Ackroyd’s attempt was blocked two minutes later.

Longbottom slammed a free kick against the away wall in the 57th minute before Mbeka dragged his opportunity wide. Rylands doubled their advantage shortly after. Brown cleared off the line in the 61st minute to prevent Warrington heading even further in front.

The Lions double-change which saw Gabriel Johnson replace Ackroyd and Thewlis replace Moke helped bring about that crucial first Lions goal.

It was the brilliant never-give-up attitude, seen so many times this season, which provided the catalyst for Guiseley to equalise via Longbottom’s stunning free-kick.

Guiseley had opportunities to emerge victorious as Thewlis shot high in the 80th minute prior to the dynamic Lewis Whitham, who replaced Emmett in the 69th minute, blazing over just sixty seconds later.

The draw sees Guiseley drop to third in the Pitching In Northern Premier League Premier Division table but only on goal difference. It is a result which sees the Lions continue a fantastic unbeaten run following four successive league victories.

Guiseley next face Whitby Town at Nethermoor on Saturday 7 December with a 3pm kick-off.

MORE PICTURES OF THE GAME HERE.