The Lions surrendered a two goal lead at the Giant Axe after Paul Phillips charges dropped points on the road writes Colin Robertson.
“We should have been 4-0 up at half time. When you are 2-0 up away from home you have got to manage it. I’m disappointed. We look vulnerable in what we do because we are not on the front foot enough”
The Lions started the game brightly. Reece Kendall’s shot from the edge of the area was blocked after two minutes.
Three minutes later Jacob Holland-Wilkinson broke clear of the Guiseley defence but was brilliantly denied by debutant goalkeeper Ollie Battersby who spread himself well.
The visitors then began to assert themselves. Kallan Murphy capitalised on a loose ball from goalkeeper Andre Mendes and was set to race clear on goal before Andrew Teague tripped him. Referee Daniel Hitchell opted for the yellow card despite Guiseley protests.
Tom Pratt forced Mendes into a near post save before the deadlock was broken.
The opener came on 28 minutes. Joe Stacey made a winding run down the left and dragged the ball back to Leigh Whelan who fired past Mendes.
The Dolly Blues immediately responded. A floating ball into the box found an unmarked Brad Carroll who could only head the ball over.
A short time later a Teague flick on found Carroll free on the edge of the area. His curling shot flew just over.
The Lions were unperturbed though and doubled the lead on 28 minutes when Murphy chested the ball into the pathway of Pratt. His low drive nestled into the bottom corner.
It could have got even better for Guiseley four minutes later. A brilliant Ollie Brown cross was deflected towards his own goal by Charlie Barnes but Mendes produced a fine reaction stop to spare his blushes.
It was a save that would ultimately earn Lancaster a point.
In the second half the home side came out with more resolve.
However the Dolly Blues also benefited from a little luck when Sam Bailey’s cross evaded everyone in the box and found it’s way into the net.
Under heavy summer showers Guiseley defended stoutly as City probed.
On 74 minutes Bailey almost crafted an equaliser when his cross picked out substitute David Norris at the back post. His header went narrowly wide.
The equaliser came on 83 minutes. An inswinging corner wasn’t dealt with by the Lions defence and Bailey headed home his second from close range.
Lancaster pressed for a winner but couldn’t find a way through.
“If you’d asked me before today if I’d take a point I would have probably said yes,” concluded Phillips. “But after today I feel we have to win on Monday against our local rivals.”
Match report sponsored by Venture House Group
Lancaster City 2-2 Guiseley | Saturday 26th August 2023 | The Giant Axe
Attendance: 410
Team: 1. Ollie Battersby, 2. Aiden Walker, 3. Reece Kendall, 4. Ollie Brown, 5. Jameel Ible, 6. Leigh Whelan, 7. Tom Pratt (76′ Dyche), 8. Danny Devine (64′ Ashman), 9. Kallan Murphy, 10. Callum Chippendale and 11. Joe Stacey (90′ Denton).
Subs: 12. Josh Ashman, 14. Tom Denton, 15. Edwin Essel, 16. Jack Dyche and 17. Courtney Meppen-Walters.