Defender Mark Bower proved to be Guiseley’s hero in this hard-fought victory over a dogged Vauxhall Motors side, his late goals in each half giving the home side a deserved three points after Tom Rutter had squared matters with eleven minutes remaining.
The first twenty minutes proved to be a dour affair, with both sides struggling to make the breakthrough. After that it was mainly Guiseley, and the visitors had keeper Zac Jones to thank for two tremendous saves in quick succession from James Walshaw and Danny Boshell.
Lions’ captain Bower signalled his intention from a corner, though his header lacked the necessary power. However, it was a different story on the stroke of half-time as the tall centre-back powered another header past Jones for the opener.
The second half proved to be the story of Guiseley pressure’s not being converted into goals as ex-Motors striker Josh Wilson could have had a hat-trick, his last effort a superb curling shot that ricocheted off the bar. Having absorbed the onslaught, Motors went close on a couple of occasions before they were awarded a free kick twenty yards out; former Lions midfielder Michael Burns’s shot rebounded off the wall and Rutter steered the loose ball home at the far post to level matters.
However, with two minutes remaining and the draw looking inevitable it was Bower who rose once again to claim the win with a thumping header.
Star man: Mark Bower (Guiseley)
Entertainment value: **
Scorers: Guiseley – Bower, 44, 88; Vauxhall – Rutter, 79.
Teams: Guiseley: Drench, Holdsworth, McWilliams, Rea, Ellis, Bower (Capt), Brooksby (N Boshell, 63), D Boshell, Wilson (Meynell, 80), Walshaw (Holsgrove, 63) Rothery. Subs not used: Pearson, Giles.
Vauxhall Motors: Jones, Roberts-Nurse, Dames, Hannigan (Capt), Noone, Thompson, Mahon, Egerton, Rutter, Burns, Winslade (Moss, 69) Subs not used: Clair, Martindale, Kocis, Ellison.
Att: 756
Referee: Mr M Ackerman