Guiseley 1, North Ferriby United 0

Guiseley ground out a nervy victory as they knocked North Ferriby off the top of the Conference North table.

The Lions started well and took a deserved early lead but had former Leeds and Bradford defender Ben Parker sent off just after the hour mark.

They had to endure the remaining 25 minutes plus six of added time to earn their win and some last-gasp defending helped them to do it.

Ferriby were on the back foot in the early stages as Mark Bower’s men did not stand on ceremony.

Gavin Rothery scored what proved to be the only goal when he cut inside in the tenth minute and drilled a low shot into the bottom corner of Antoni Pecora’s net.

Other half-chances followed for Guiseley but the visitors were also looking dangerous and Nathan Jarman tested home keeper Steve Drench several times.

Following one good parry by Drench, the follow-up shot was blocked by Lions defender Danny Hall.

Jarman had the ball in the net on the half-hour mark but an offside flag curtailed any Ferriby celebrations.

The visitors enjoyed a good spell at the beginning of the second half but Guiseley withstood that and had a penalty appeal when Danny Ellis claimed he was pushed in the area.

As it transpired the penalty drama was at the opposite end of the pitch. Just five minutes later Parker impeded an attacker and the referee brandished the red card but Drench denied Jarman from 12 yards with a wonderful save.

Lions boss Bower said: “We are obviously delighted with the three points and the clean sheet, especially when you think of the circumstances we got them in.

“We were up against the free-scoring leaders but we defended well against the high balls that came into our area.

“There were times when we were under pressure and it was backs-against-the-wall stuff but, come the end of the season, that might be a vital three points.”