Guiseley share spoils thanks to Hanson strike (From Wharfedale Observer)

Guiseley share spoils thanks to Hanson strike

1:56pm Monday 10th September 2007 in Guiseley By Rachel O'Connor

Ilkeston Town 2 Guiseley 2

COMING away with a point from this disjointed display must have felt like winning the FA Cup for Guiseley who were 2-0 down at one stage and gave their worst performance of the season.

In the first minute, Dominic Krief's free-kick released Leon Henry, whose cross was smothered by keeper Paul Pettinger. Bett, Krief and Aron Wilford also tested him before, in the 11th minute, Guiseley fell behind for the first time this season.

Steve Dickinson looked to have dealt with Hunter's shot but the ball squirmed free. Palmer's shot was blocked and Neil Ross netted from a narrow angle.

Four minutes later, after Henry had been booked for a wild challenge, it got worse. A Hunter free-kick deflected off Holmes and Wilford's attempted nod to Dickinson rippled the net for 2-0.

Having twice relinquished two-goal advantages in mid-week, Ilkeston seemed determined to hang on this time.

In the 19th minute Krief struck the post with a free-kick then Wilson avoided yet another prostrate home player to shoot wide. But this was not the fluid Guiseley performance of recent weeks.

Lacking Dunning's guile in midfield they were finding it hard to release the strikers and Ilkeston were beginning to look good value for their lead. Dickinson was called upon several times, and another good chance was bravely blocked by Danny Ellis.

At the other end Krief wasted a free-kick, Smith was booked following what seemed an innocent collision, and in the last action of the half James Hanson had a shot saved.

Home Manager Nigel Jemson brought himself on for centre-back Dan White at the interval and Guiseley fans looked forward to another frustrating half before a goal out of nothing brought the visitors back into it in the 47th minute.

A right-wing cross from Swift was met by the head of Smith and, with Pettinger scrambling, the ball crept in.

Rob Pell replaced Bett and then Sam Denton came on for Henry in a 4-3-3 formation but with four centre-backs and three big strikers on the field the expected aerial barrage failed to materialize.

Ilkeston were finding it embarrassingly easy to get round and through the Guiseley defence, and the visitors' goal suffered some hairy moments.

Even so, Pell put an excellent chance wide and after Paul Rickers had replaced Wilford - occasioning yet another re-shuffle - Krief was bested by Pettinger in a one-on-one.

It was left to Guiseley's talisman James Hanson to salvage them a somewhat undeserved point. With the game well into stoppage time he took advantage of some good work by Smith to slot gleefully home.

Guiseley: Dickinson; Swift, Ellis, Wilford (Rickers, 79), Sturdy, L. Henry (Denton, 58); Wilson, Bett (Pell, 52), Krief; Smith, Hanson.