Guiseley were the architects of their own downfall in this keenly contested tie at Nethermoor as they squandered a host of first half openings and gifted the visitor’s two goals before the break.
Jake Lawlor reduced the deficit early in the second half but despite several close calls the Lions were unable to square matters.
The home side started strongly as debutant loanee Louie Swain laid a superb ball off for Michael Burns to fire wide. Swain then went close having been put through by Michael Potts before screwing his shot wide from a good position.
John Lamb tipped over another Swain effort but the Lions were undone when skipper Rhys Meynell failed to control the ball and Alex Davidson took full advantage to rifle home past Steve Drench on 27 minutes.
Burns’ cross at the other end found no takers and Drench pulled off a flying save from Nicky Boshell but was helpless as Richard Marshall’s effort was diverted past him by Spencer Harris’s attempted clearance for Avenue’s second on the stroke of halftime.
Although Lawlor converted at the back post on post on 51 minutes the home side couldn’t conjure up another opening.
Mark Bower’s post-match interview
Louie Swain’s post-match interview
Match photos here
Star man: Richard Marshall (BPA)
Entertainment value: ***
Att: 595
Goalscorers: Guiseley – Lawlor 51; Bradford PA –Davidson 27, Marshall 45
Refree: I Hussin