Chester FC 2 Guiseley 0

ON A night when even a Champions League fixture was postponed due to the thunder storms sweeping the country the sun certainly wasn’t shinning on Guiseley.

The Lions remain rooted to the foot of the National League table after holding hosts Chester FC to a goalless first half but ending the game with nine men.

Caretaker boss Adam Lockwood had made his three substitutions when Luke Porritt, who was in some pain, was forced off through injury with a quarter of an hour remaining while Will Hatfield picked up a second yellow card seven minutes from time.

Kane Richards had given the home side the lead with a dinked side-foot finish five minutes after the interval.

They cemented their win when skipper Tom Shaw beat Lions keeper Jonny Maxted from the penalty spot after John Hunt had been fouled in the area.

Thackley and Liversedge were both winners in theToolstation Northern Counties East Premier Division.

Sedge went back to the top of the table with a 3-0 home win over struggling Harrogate Railway Athletic.

The relegated side asked questions but the home defence answered them all while Vaughan Redford, Harrison Blakey and Brandon Kane got the goals.

The Dennyboys were 2-1 winners away at nearby Garforth Town.

Ryan Farrell gave Thackley a 13th minute lead and George Eustance doubled the advantage midway through the second half before the home side’s Mark Simpson hit back late on.

Bradford Park Avenue face a tough home fixture tonight as they host Darlington 1883 in the National North. Darlo are on the up again after several seasons in a tailspin and are one of the promotion favourites this term.

The Quakers dropped out of the play off places last Saturday after a 1-1 draw with lowly Nuneaton Town but they have a game in hand on three of the five clubs above them.

Bradford boss Alex Meechan bemoaned the fact that he doesn’t have the quality of a Lee Hughes after the veteran front man was influential in Worcester City’s 3-0 win at Horsfall Stadium on Saturday.

Meechan said, “We’re trying to bring that type of quality in and I spend all day every day on the blower seeing who is available and calling in favours from people at all levels in the game.

“It’s difficult because players who can score goals or players who are leaders in the midfield or the defence – big players – are few and far between.”

Albion Sports also have a home league game tonight as they welcome NCE Premier Division basement outfit Armthorpe Welfare.