FA Trophy first-round: Chorley 0 Guiseley 1

GUISELEY are in tomorrow's FA Trophy second-round draw but they had to battle hard to progress against Chorley, who ended the game with ten men after Stephen Jordan was sent off in the penultimate minute.

The Lions’ last visit to the Magpies’ Victory Park ended in celebrations as they won promotion in the Conference North play-off final.

They are still one division higher than the Lancashire outfit in the National League set-up but the sides looked evenly matched in this tie.

Chorley started well, and their skipper Dale Whitham had two chances before he forced Lions’ keeper Jonny Maxted into his first save.

Guiseley’s first chance fell to Will Hatfield, but his shot was deflected for a corner that led to some head tennis but the visitors couldn’t profit from the pressure on the home defence.

The Lancastrians were like lightning on the break but the Lions defended well and nabbed the all-important goal in the opening quarter-hour.

A free-kick led to a corner which was converted by the head of Michael Rankine.

Maxted was tested just minutes before the break when he did well to tip a shot from Jason Walker over the bar.

Whitham went close twice more before the break but Guiseley almost doubled their lead soon after the re-start.

Home keeper Shaun Rowley emulated Maxted’s agility when he palmed Jordan Preston’s shot onto his bar.

There were chances for the home side’s Marcus Carver, Scott Leather and Walker before Guiseley substitute Jake Cassidy dragged a shot wide.

Maxted’s best save came late on as he showed the speed of his reactions to palm an overhead kick from Walker onto the post.

That was minutes before the Magpies were reduced in numbers.

Guiseley boss Adam Lockwood said: “I’m pleased. I’m always pleased to win – it’s why we play the game.

“To be honest, I think this is as hard as anywhere to come because they are a good side in their respective league. It was a big test for us and our lads deserve a lot of credit.

“We made some changes but I wouldn’t have made those changes if I thought it would have weakened the side. I bang on about it being a squad game and everyone working together and again it has come to fruition.”

There was a debut for recent signing Elliott Green.

The 23-year-old defender has been out of the country after spells in Sweden and Canada but Guiseley received international clearance in time for him to start at Victory Park.

Lockwood added: “Ranks (Rankine) has been disappointed not to be in the side recently but he’s stepped up when his time has come. I have to commend everyone though, not just him.

“Elliott has come in after not playing much football, not much English football and he was outstanding. At times we had to dig in, and Jonny has got a clean sheet to his name and, again, he was as good as anybody.”