The Lions bounced back from the disappointment of losing a two goal lead at Workington to stage a remarkable recovery from 2-0 down against a strong Bury side, writes Ivor Timmis.

Lucas Odunston had to withdraw with an ankle injury sustained on the day of the match and was replaced by Harrison Hopper. The returning Ollie Brown took his place on the bench where was joined by the re-signed Kallan Murphy.

The Lions got off to a disastrous start on three minutes. A back pass by Adam Lund was easily intercepted by Djavan Pedro who finished comfortably past a stranded Jack Hall.

Worse almost followed a minute later when Hall came out to clear only to hit the ball against an onrushing forward. The ball bounced kindly and Guiseley scrambled clear.

Worse did follow on seven minutes when the ever-dangerous Kai Evans cut inside from the left wing without serious challenge and planted the ball inside the near post.

For a couple of minutes, it looked like a rampant Bury might run away with it. However, the Lions steadied the ship and should have pulled one back after 10 minutes when Lebrun Mbeka, unmarked from a corner, headed wide from the penalty spot.

The Lions managed to turn long throws and corners into sustained periods of pressure, with Jay Rollins, fed by the lively Cam Wilson, a constant threat.

On 25 minutes, the Lions were back in the game. Amir Berchil cut in from the left and unleashed a shot from the edge of the area which hit the bar leaving Aaron Martin to force home the rebound from close range.

Bury continued to pass the ball neatly with good movement and combinations but the Lions were back on terms on 35 minutes.

Wilson found Rollins in acres of space with a raking crossfield pass. Rollins advanced into the area and rolled an inviting ball across the goal, an invitation accepted by Martin with an emphatic side-foot finish. Martin, as Bury boss Anthony Johnson acknowledged, was a real thorn in the side of the visiting defence. A pulsating first half ended 2-2.

Early in the second half, a Martin flick-on found Berchil in space but Martin’s header from the resulting cross was blocked.

On 55 minutes, Bury should have regained the lead but Pedro volleyed over from very close range.

On 70 minutes, the Lions made a like-for-like swap with Jack Tinker giving way to Kyle White.

Bury had begun to dominate possession with Owen Robinson starting to find space on the edge of the box. He had one shot blocked and later hit the bar with a brilliant 25-yard effort.

Brown replaced Berchil on 75 minutes as the Lions sought to wrestle back control. Though under pressure, the Lions carried a threat on the break and Charlie Staniland made a superb run from right back before he was crowded out on the edge of the area.

Rollins gave way to Thewlis on 76 minutes, with Murphy replacing Wilson on 87 minutes.

Just as the game seemed destined for a draw, Thewlis won a free kick with a clever turn on the edge of the box. White drove the ball into the 6-yard box where Mitch Allen seemed to have it covered until Thewlis appeared out of a trap door to cleverly deflect the ball past the keeper.

The Lions then saw out the remaining four minutes with good game management.

It was a truly stirring performance in front of 1,370 fans, 800 of whom left very happy with the evening’s entertainment.

Guiseley 3-2 Bury | Saturday 18th August 2026 | Nethermoor

Attendance: 1,370 – including 588 visiting supporters

Team: 1. Jack Hall, 2. Harrison Hopper, 3. Jack Tinker (58′ White), 4. Adam Lund, 5. Elliot Owen, 6. Lebrun Mbeka (C), 7. Jay Rollins (76′ Thewlis), 8. Charlie Staniland, 9. Aaron Martin, 10. Cam Wilson (86′ Murphy) and 11. Amir Berchil (68′ Brown).

Subs: 12. Paul Iggulden, 14. Kyle White, 15. Jordan Thewlis, 16. Ollie Brown and 17. Kallan Murphy.