Two goals from leading scorer Adam Boyes combined with Tamworth’s defeat at Barrow ensured Guiseley’s place in the play-offs for the fifth successive season.
Boyes gave Guiseley the lead on 20 minutes only for James Dean to grab an equalizer for fellow play-off contenders Chorley just before the break but a fine team performance was capped by Boyes’ second goal on 61 minutes that cemented the Lions’ top-five place with two games left to play.
Boyes was first to try his luck early on but his shot drifted wide and Danny Hall came close to putting the home side ahead only to see Paul Jarvis clear his effort off the line.
Not to be denied, however, the Lions’ perseverance finally paid off when Boyes produced a poacher’s finish to get ahead of Andy Teague and fire past Sam Ashton for the opener.
Chorley levelled matters five minutes before the break when tricky work by Jack Dorney on the byline provided the cross for Dean to convert the easiest of headers from close in.
Following a period of sustained pressure midway through the second half, Danny Boshell curled in an inviting cross that was headed on by Oli Johnson for Boyes to apply the finishing touch once again and restore the home side’s lead.
Substitute Aaron Burns brought a fine fingertip save from Steven Drench as Chorley looked to square matters and Nicky Boshell could have put some gloss on the victory late on in a one-on-one with Ashton but seemed to be caught in two minds as the keeper’s fingertips denied him.
Entertainment value: ****
Star man: Adam Boyes (Guiseley)
Post-match interviews with Mark Bower and Danny Hall
Teams: Guiseley – Drench, Toulson, Lowe, Holdsworth (Capt), Hall, Lawlor, Brooksby, Boshell (D), Boyes (Dickinson (L), 90), Johnson (O) (Boshell (N), 74), Rothery. Subs not used: Ellis, Stockdill, Dickinson (S).
Chorley: Ashton, Ross, Cottrell (Burns, 73), Teague (Capt), Doyle, Roscoe, Hine (Almond, 84), Winter, Dean, Dorney, Jarvis. Subs not used: Flynn, Mather, Lynch
Goals: Guiseley – Boyes 20 & 61 Chorley – Dean 40
HT 1-1
Att: 935
Referee: O Yates
