Guiseley 1, Gateshead 1

JAMES Wesolowski was denied a winning debut for Guiseley as Gateshead fought back late on to earn a share of the spoils.

Much-travelled midfielder Simon Walton fired home from the penalty spot in the 65th minute to delight the majority of the 762 crowd.

That looked to be enough to settle a scrappy affair bereft of clear-cut chances and secure Adam Lockwood's side only their third National League win of the season.

Yet the Tyneside visitors replied with four minutes remaining through Danny Johnson's neatly-struck shot to claim a deserved point.

Guiseley announced the signing of experienced midfielder Wesolowski less than two hours before kick-off and he was thrust straight into the starting line-up.

The 29-year-old, who played with Lockwood at Oldham in 2014, began his career with Leicester before taking in spells with the likes of Dundee United, Peterborough, Oldham and Shrewsbury.

Guiseley, for all their industry, struggled to create meaningful goal-scoring opportunities against a tenacious and hard-working Gateshead side.

A vital interception by Guiseley skipper Ryan Lowe prevented Wes York finding Johnson just 12 yards out as the visitors remained a lingering threat at the other end.

Nine minutes before the break, Gateshead fashioned a delightful passing sequence which cut Guiseley apart and led to Luke Hannant thrashing a fierce left-foot strike which drew a fine save from Jonathan Maxted.

It was the best chance of the game and, as the interval approached, Nicky Clee's right-foot shot from 20 yards sailed over the crossbar.

The Lions grew as an attacking force after the restart but still struggled to test visiting goalkeeper Sam Johnson, who replaced Dan Hanford at the break.

Danny East's dipping free-kick from the left flank flew narrowly over but Jake Cassidy admirably ploughed a lone furrow up front and the Lions made the breakthrough 20 minutes into the second half.

Will Hatfield was brought down inside the penalty area and Walton fired right-footed into the bottom left-hand corner.

That poured confidence into the Lions but they switched off in the 86th minute as a long throw-in from the left found its way to Johnson, whose clinical left-foot shot nestled into the far corner.