Maidstone United 1 Guiseley 1

GUISELEY can count themselves unfortunate not to have banked their first victory of the season after returning with just a point from Maidstone United.

The Lions trailed at the break but came back as the stronger side after the interval. Fortune, however, does not come into the equation when directors and supporters are looking at the league table.

The fact remains that Guiseley are rock bottom of the National League table, eight points adrift of safety, and the only club in the division yet to register a victory after 11 games of the season.

Two consecutive draws had brought an end to a seven game losing streak but a midweek defeat at Chester re-ignited the gloom. They bounced back from Tuesday’s defeat but only to bank another draw.

Oli Johnson, Adam Boyes and Michael Rankine all went close for Guiseley early on but they still fell a goal behind when Maidstone's leading scorer Alex Flisher finished off a fine passing move in the 14th minute.

The home side had the ball in the net for a second time just five minutes later but Liam Enver-Marum was in an offside position when he nodded Bobby-Joe Taylor’s free kick past Jon Maxted.

The Guiseley goalkeeper was in the thick of the action, especially in the first half, and did well to block Flisher when the Stones’ striker was bearing down on goal.

The home side also had a strong penalty appeal rejected when Javan Vidal threw himself in to block Enver-Marum. The Guiseley defender was injured making the challenge and had to be carried off.

Caretaker boss Adam Lockwood was forced to make all three of his substitutions in the first half as Reece Webb-Foster, on loan from neighbouring Bradford City, started the second half for Michael Rankine who had picked up a knock in the first period.

The young Bantams’ player made a big difference and created chances before hitting the equaliser. He made space in the area and then slammed a neat shot on the turn past home keeper Lee Worgan.

The Lions were on top in the remaining 25 minutes and, although Maxted was forced into one more good save, Jordan Preston should have won it in stoppage time but was thwarted by an excellent block by Worgan.