Pre-season friendly: Guiseley 0 Darlington 0

GUISELEY didn’t exactly have the Quakers running scared at Nethermoor as the final friendly for both clubs was more a battle of attrition.

The sides cancelled each other out and, while former Oldham Athletic centre back and current Guiseley manager Adam Lockwood was happy with a clean sheet from his charges, he must have been frustrated that they didn’t end their pre-season with a victory.

Guiseley created the better chances but Darlo had the game’s first clear- opening when Dominic Collins headed Terry Gilbraith’s fifth-minute free- kick over the target.

Reece Thompson was the first to threaten for the Lions but, after a neat turn, his shot was wayward.

Thompson was involved as Guiseley went much closer midway through the first half.

After good work from Thompson, he laid the ball to John Rooney but the former Everton youth and Wrexham man’s attempt grazed the bar on its way over.

Alex Purver drove in a low ball that Thompson slid in to meet but that chance was blocked by the Quakers’ defence.

Thompson had another opening just before the break but as he drilled in a shot from an acute angle, Darlington’s keeper Adam Bartlett parried it over.

Darlo’s former Bradford City and Farsley Celtic midfielder Dave Syers was the provider of the visitors’ first chance after the interval.

Syers’ through ball picked out Harvey Saunders but home keeper Jonny Maxted was equal to the striker’s shot from distance.

Will Hatfield combined well with one of Guiseley’s trialists before curling a shot just wide.

Former Liversedge forward Nathan Cartman was one of Darlo’s second- half substitutes and he set up a chance for Scott Fenwick that Maxted also saved.

Lockwood said: “I thought the game was a bit flat to be honest but a good test because we’ll have games like that in the league.

“I was happy to get a clean sheet but I think we’ve got a bit more than we showed so I’m a little bit disappointed with a lot of things. We were short of where we want to be.

“It’s hard to judge what you’re getting out of friendly games but, for me, we’ve got something out of all of them.

"Darlington came and gave us a good test and we tried to create something to get a foothold in the game, it’s all vital experience.

“Facing a side from a division below is good. The fixtures were chosen for a reason, but over the whole of pre-season we’ve had numerous tests and they’ve all been good for us.”