Telford 1 Guiseley 1 - Report and pictures
AFC Telford United were left to rue not turning their first half dominance into a victory as an early second half goal handed Guiseley a well deserved point at the New Bucks Head.
After Daniel Udoh had fired Telford into a tenth minute lead, it looked as if the flood gates may open as Telford dominated their opponents all over the park, and should have gone further ahead.
But the saying, a game of two halves, was very much relevant in this one, as Guiseley came out a different side in the second period.
Scott Smith headed his side level six minutes in, and they could have gone on and won it but for Bucks stopper Josef Bursik denying the Guiseley front line on a number of occasions.
The result does take them back up to fourth, but this one will be labelled as a opportunity very much missed for the Bucks.
Bucks boss Gavin Cowan opted for three changes, and welcomed back Theo Streete to the starting line-up to strengthen the backline that shipped three first half goals at Brackley on Saturday.
Henry Cowans and Darryl Knights were also recalled, with Brendon Daniels, James McQuilkin and Ryan Barnett all dropping to the bench.
A minute's applause was held for the former Bucks boss and World Cup winner Gordon Banks, and it wasn't long before the Bucks fans were clapping again as they watched their side race into an early lead.
They began on the front foot, stroking the ball around and firing a number of dangerous crosses into the box.
The Yorkshire visitors were giving Cowan's men far too much room to dictate the play, and Udoh took advantage of that on 10 minutes.
Darryl Knights found the prolific front man 18 yards out, and he turned with ease before lashing a left foot shot beyond Guiseley stopper Marcus Dewhurst.
The Bucks top marksman had the visiting keeper flapping at a fiercely hit long range drive moments later, with Telford looking dangerous every time they went forward.
His striker partner Marcus Dinanga was looking equally as lively, and passed up a chance of his own on the half hour mark.
Patient build up play saw the ball find Steph Morley who hung up a cross for the former Burton man, but he could only direct a header straight at the keeper.
It had been all Telford for the first 45 minutes, with Guiseley having little in the way of chances.
That was until captain Andy Halls picked up a loose ball 25 yards out, and hammered an effort inches wide of Bursik’s upright minutes before the interval.
The Guiseley side that appeared for the second half were a different prospect all together, and within six minutes of the re-start they managed to get themselves level.
Niall Heaton slung a long throw into the box, that was flicked on and nodded home from three yards by Smith.
After dominating the first period Telford were rattled and the visitors could sense it.
Rowan Liburd was denied by Bursik, before the on loan Stoke stopper somehow managed to keep out an effort from the well travelled Kayode Odejayi.
The striker left skipper Shane Sutton for dead 30 yards out and drove at goal, with his shot hitting the underside of Bursik and shaving the post as it spun wide.
After a shaky opening to the second period, the Bucks did settle but passes were going astray and they were lacking composure in the final third.
They did finally create a second half chance as Knights’ free kick was palmed away by the keeper, before Bursik pushed a goal bound Liburd effort wide at the other end.
The striker went even closer two minutes from time, and it looked as though he had completed a second half turnaround.
But his strike deflected off a Bucks defender, and cannoned away off the foot of the post.
Guiseley put the pressure on late on as they threw balls into the box, and in the end it was the Bucks holding on against the lowly visitors.
