GUISELEY 2 MAIDSTONE UTD 1
MICHAEL RANKINE’S winner seven minutes from time ensured much-improved Guiseley stretched their unbeaten home league run to eight matches at the expense of Maidstone.
A tale of two penalties kept the sides level going into a tense finale – Simon Walton’s 32nd-minute effort from the spot cancelled out by Bobby-Joe Taylor’s spot-kick in the second half.
But Rankine’s calculated volley handed the Lions a much needed three points, much to the delight of boss Adam Lockwood, who celebrated winning the December Manager of the Month award in style. “We keep our good home form going,” he said. “It was a tight game, we both knew what was on the line, we knew that if the chances come Rankine can score them and he has done that today.” The away side looked comfortable in possession early on without really creating much in the way of golden opportunities, and soon Guiseley took advantage.
The pressure told on 32 minutes when they were awarded a penalty by referee Joe Johnston when James Wesolowski was tripped in a goalmouth scramble and Walton just about beat Lee Worgan from the spot.
Guiseley looked the more likely to double their advantage but on 74 minutes, Delano Sam-Yorke was brought down and, with his first touch, Taylor calmly slotted home. But with time ticking it was Guiseley who stole the points when Rankine latched onto Will Hatfield’s header to smash home. Maidstone now have not won since November and their boss Jay Saunders said: “Things just aren’t going our way, we started well and didn’t take the chances. “We cant feel sorry for ourselves, we must keep on working hard and just keep on going.” STAR MAN: Marcus Williams (Guiseley) ATT: 1,040 ENTERTAINMENT: ★★★★★ REFEREE: Joe Johnston 7/10