Guiseley recorded their second 2-2 scoreline in seven days during what was a frustrating afternoon at Eastwood for the Lions.
The Lions were depleted going into the game, sharpshooter Gavin Rothery and Steven Drench joining the growing injury list, but things began well for the visitors. Following equal opening exchanges, when possession changed hands easily, Guiseley began to pile on pressure.
Simon Baldry had a great chance 10 minutes in but couldn’t find the target, poking wide from close range, but it was his great work down the right moments later which led to the opener. Baldry jinked past a defender and combined with fellow ex-Huddersfield man Andy Holdsworth, who stabbed home from inside the six-yard box.
All was going swimmingly for the Lions before what was arguably the game-changing moment. Stand-in goalkeeper Jacob Giles missed a long, floated cross before a header was angled back across towards the goal. Defender Michael Brough then proceeded to tip the ball over the bar and despite trying to play it down was rightly sent off. Eastwood then had their penalty converted by Jason Walker.
Things got worse for Guiseley when they went behind on 46 minutes, thanks to a superb overhead kick from Luke Edwards. From looking comfortable at 1-0 up the match had been turned on its head and the Lions now found themselves with a mountain to climb.
As expected, the second half was mostly Guiseley pressure and it was almost inevitable that the visitors would find a way through eventually. The away fans must have felt it wasn’t their day when the card-happy referee turned down a strong shout for a Guiseley penalty after Kevin Gall appeared to be fouled in the box.
The equaliser came five minutes from time, Baldry expertly chesting a ball in the penalty area before swivelling and smashing into the top corner. The Lions have proved in the last two games they don’t know when they are beaten, and they will need that work ethic when they welcome Stalybridge Celtic to Nethermoor on Saturday.
Lions: Giles, Clarke, Brough (Sent off), Ainge, Merris, Toner, Boshell, Holdsworth, Baldry, Forrest (O’Neill), Gall (Ellington)
Subs (not used) – Drench, Booker, Burns
Att – 292
Star man – Simon Baldry
