AN 89th-minute deflected goal denied Guiseley a place in this season's Emirates FA Cup first round as underdogs FC United of Manchester squeezed through by the tightest of margins.

With the match heading to penalties, substitute Fin Sinclair Smith saw his strike suffer a huge ricochet which wrong-footed Brad Wade and gave the Step Three team a 2-1 win.

The hosts took an early lead from the spot. Hamza Bencherif tripped right back Aaron Morris in the box on the 10 minute mark, allowing former Lion Paul Ennis to smash home.

The Vanarama National League North side almost levelled when Prince Ekpolo's header struck the post. New loanee Kian Harratt and Mark Howarth each followed up but saw their efforts blocked.

Wet conditions handed the visitors their equaliser. A back pass did not reach its intended target in keeper Dan Lavercombe and Jonathan Wafula latched onto it for his second goal of the season.

In what was a quiet start after the break, it was the Lions who enjoyed the better chances.

Firstly, Dan Cowan's header narrowly flew over from a Howarth corner, then Brad Nicholson's throw was then excellently crossed by Lebrun Mbeka into empty space.

Cowan excelled at the other end too, denying Sinclair Smith before Adam Dodd fired into the side netting.

Then came the heartbreaking winner to dent Guiseley's hopes of a third opening round appearance in four years.

Russ O'Neill and Marcus Bignot tried desperately to respond in added time by throwing on attackers Nathan Newall and Paul Clayton. However, neither could manufacture that one opportunity in the few minutes remaining and the shock was comfirmed.

Guiseley will aim to bounce back when they return to league action in way of a rescheduled away trip to promotion favourites Boston United tomorrow.