Vanarama National League: Guiseley 0 Barrow 1

GUISELEY'S three-year stay in the top division of non-league football is officially at an end following a narrow home defeat to fellow strugglers Barrow that left the Lions bottom of the Vanarama National League.

The Bluebirds forced a couple of early corners, and Guiseley keeper Joe Green had to be at his best to thwart Dan James and Jordan White, while Barrow’s Kingsley James headed over when well placed late in the goalless first half.

It was a goal from visiting skipper Asa Hall that eventually sealed Guiseley’s fate, heading home after Green misjudged a 51st-minute cross

Lions striker Rowan Liburd had gone close in the first half with two half- chances, the first when he lifted John Rooney’s free-kick over the target and later when he placed a shot just wide.

He went closer as Guiseley searched for an equaliser, seeing a shot cleared off the line just after the hour, and had a later effort saved by the Bluebirds keeper Steve Arnold.

The visitors were reduced to ten men late on when Donovan Makoma was shown a straight red card just three minutes from time for what appeared to be an off-the-ball incident.

Guiseley caretaker boss Sean St Ledger said: “Fantastic application, commitment and effort from the lads. I think we dominated the game overall but we had a period early on when they (Barrow) should have scored one or two.

“I think we just lost a bit of concentration in that spell but played well overall. I think football is about what happens in both boxes and if you make errors and you don’t put the ball in the back the net, it’s inevitable you are going to lose football matches.”

Now that relegation is confirmed the interim manager does not want his players to switch off.

He added: “I think that game summed up our season really. In terms of performance and seeing signs of improvement, I’m happy with that. I can’t ask more from the players.

“I’m driven as a manager and as a player and we have to use the next four games to get off the foot of the table.

“I think the players need to be driven as well. Whatever motivates them now, whether it’s playing for their contracts, their futures in the game or playing for Guiseley and for me next season – if I’m here – or to go on and earn a contract somewhere else.

"Now it’s all about individual motivation.”