The Lions slumped to back to back away defeats at Brackley Town’s St James Park yesterday afternoon with Shane Byrne and Connor Hall strikes either side of the half-time interval. 

In an even first half at Brackley The Lions had a lot of possession but struggled to create any real chances of note.

Will Hatfield managed to get on the end of birthday boy Cliff Moyo’s cross but his header went just over the bar.

The best opening for Marcus Bignot and Russ O’Neill’s side fell to Michael Fowler, the on loan striker failed to connect sweetly with a good cross from Kaine Felix and his shot was easily saved by Danny Lewis.

One minute before half-time Byrne scored the opening goal, this after strong appeals from the Guiseley bench that the ball had gone out of play twice in the build-up.

Jimmy Armson danced his was through the Lions defence and when his cross was recycled out to Byrne the midfielder placed his shot well into the bottom corner.

This clearly had an effect on the visitors going into the start of the second half and after poor control by Niall Heaton the 3rd placed Saints won a corner just a minute into the second 45.

Glenn Walker’s corner found Hall unmarked at the back post and the defender could not miss from two yards out to double the hosts lead.

The 585 in attendance saw a fairly steady game from then in with Brackley in control and creating more of the openings.

Bignot and O’Neill shuffled the pack with Curtis Morrison replacing Felix on the hour mark and the substitute went on a mazy run 10 minutes later.

Morrison beat two defenders before putting Alex Purver in for a shot on goal but good defending by the hosts saw the danger cleared.

Then 78 minutes in Will Thornton was introduced for Hatfield and the Guiseley Academy graduate was thrown up front.

Two minutes from the end Purver saw his header easily gathered by Lewis and in the dying minutes Andy Halls’ powerful free kick was well stopped by the keeper.

The result and Ashton’s win at home to Spennymoor adds even more significance to the clash between the two sides at Nethermoor on Saturday.

Team: 1. Marcus Dewhurst, 2. Andy Halls, 3. Niall Heaton, 4. Alex Purver, 5. Josh Langley, 6. Scott Garner (C), 7. Kaine Felix (Morrison 61′), 8. Kingsley James, 9. Michael Fowler, 10. Will Hatfield (Thornton 78′) and 11. Cliff Moyo.

Substitutes: 12. Jack Dyche, 14. Kennedy Digie, 15. Will Thornton, 16. Dylan Barkers and 17. Curtis Morrison.