Guiseley 0, Hednesford Town 2

A LACKLUSTRE Guiseley slumped to a home defeat against Vanarama Conference North promotion rivals Hednesford Town on a day when the top two in the division both lost.

The loss cost the Lions their place in the play-off zone as Hednesford leapfrogged them and Boston United also climbed into the top five on goal difference after thrashing Park Avenue 5-0.

It was frustrating for Guiseley boss Mark Bower, whose side had beaten second-placed AFC Fylde the previous midweek.

Bower said: "We looked leggy out there and we failed to get a grip on the game early on, which allowed Hednesford to dictate. We improved in the second half but their second goal killed us.

"I think that big match on Tuesday, putting all that effort in after a long lay-off because of the fixture postponements, just took too much out of the players. We looked a bit off the pace and they (Hednesford) were winning every second ball."

There was a worrying start for the visitors as two of their back four picked up head injuries but both played on with bandaging.

Right back James Hurst did so comfortably but centre back and captain Ben Bailey had some difficulty as the referee twice ordered him to leave the field to have the dressing tended to.

Bailey was a key player as his missile-like long throws presented a constant threat to the home defence. But the referee was the central figure as he made decisions that left both sides bemused.

One controversial call led to Hednesford breaking the deadlock, with Lions defender Danny Hall livid about the award of a free-kick against him after Marvin Robinson went to ground easily.

Before the set-piece was taken, Hurst was yellow-carded for dissent – but Glenn Walker's delivery curled through the Guiseley area and Liam Dickinson glanced a header past his own keeper Steve Drench.

Guiseley's best spell came just before the visitors snatched their second goal from a breakaway. Danny Boshell shot high over from the edge of the area in the 71st minute and Town keeper Dan Crane launched a kick from which Adam Thomas got possession and he rifled an angled drive into the top corner.