AN extra time goal by Paul Clayton saw Guiseley edge a narrow 4-3 win against a spirited Barnoldswick Town side in the semi-final of the West Riding County Cup at Nethermoor on Tuesday night.

Three goals in five minutes early in the first half by Will Thornton, Scott Smith and Paul Clayton put the home side in control.

But a second half fightback by Barnoldswick Town saw Shaun Airey, James Crorken and Zack Dale each score a goal in a ten-minute period to set up a nail-biting finish that saw Clayton bundle in a corner in the 91st minute to put Guiseley into the final.

Guiseley created some pressure early on and in the fifth minute a Will Hatfield strike from 20 yards out was well saved by Town keeper Ryan Livesey, who tipped the ball over the bar.

Niall Heaton's long throw-ins were causing problems for the Town defence, and in the ninth minute Heaton found Will Thornton, who towered above the defence to direct a header past Livesey.

Two minutes later, Cliff Moyo's cross into the box was not dealt with, leaving an easy tap-in for Scott Smith.

Then in the 14th minute Clayton slotted in from a cross into box to make it 3-0 to the Lions.

While Town had some possession, they struggled to create chances and shots from distance by Crorken and Dale could not find a way through the solid Guiseley defence.

Smith had a half chance from a tight angle in the 33rd minute and speculative shots by Andy Halls and Cliff Moyo flew high over the bar as the Lions pressed the visitors before the break.

On the stroke of half-time, Smith went down and had to be helped off the pitch. He was replaced by Jack Dyche to start the second half.

Joe Green also came in goal for Jon Worsnop, and Town brought on young striker Teal Amos for Jack Coop.

After Guiseley created a couple of half chances, an attack by Town in the 48th minute saw Amos' shot deflected just wide of the post.

More Guiseley pressure over the next 15 minutes resulted in some speculative efforts on goal.

Then some clever play by Dale and Daniel Vincent set up Lewis Morgan for a shot in the box that forced Green to make a fine save.

But Barnoldswick had entered their best spell of the game and in the 68th minute, their pressure was rewarded when Green mishandled a corner that fell to Shaun Airey, who tapped in from close range to cut the lead to 3-1.

In the 75th minute, a mazy run through the defence saw Morgan fouled on the edge of the box. Barnoldswick skipper Crorken then drilled the free-kick in the top right corner to make it 3-2.

With their tails up, just three minutes later Town equalised when Amos found Dale in the box and he tapped in past the keeper.

As the Guiseley faithful grew frustrated, Town's fan's chanted "Barlick" when a Dale strike from 25 yards out whizzed past the post with less than 10 minutes to play.

After Andy Halls suffered an injury, the Lions brought on striker Rowan Liburd in the 87th minute as the two teams pressed for the winner.

Guiseley finally had their chance when they earned a corner in the first minute of time added on. The cross fell to Clayton in front of the goal, and he slotted in give the Lions a 4-3 victory and place in the final against Ossett United on April 9.