MATCH REPORT | Guiseley 1-1 Chester

Chester FC rescued a dramatic point in the final minute of stoppage time at Nethermoor Park this afternoon.

Guiseley appeared to have secured three points when Scott Garner headed them ahead with two minutes of normal time remaining but Jon Moran’s 93rd minute equaliser ensures the Blues took a point back with them.

The Blues made three changes as Steven Howson, Jon Moran and Dan Mooney all game into the starting eleven, with new signings Sean Miller and Connor King both on the bench.

Guiseley carved out the games first chance, Kayode Odejayi pushed forward down the left, before squaring to Jack Dyche, but his effort from the edge of the area was off target.

In an open game, the Blues struggled to create clear-cut chances early on, with too many crosses going to Joe Green in the hosts goal. The first real chance for the visitors fell to Jon Moran, but he couldn’t keep his effort, on the turn, down, and it went out for a goal kick.

The Lions thought they had the games opening goal as a long throw was pushed away by Shenton, it broke to Odejayi and his effort was blocked on the goalline before falling back to Shenton. At the other end, Matty Hughes played Dan Mooney in behind, but the Fleetwood loanee’s effort lacked conviction, and Joe Green was able to make the save.

Chester really began to find their stride, working the Guiseley defence from side to side and almost took the lead through Anthony Dudley’s quick feet, but a strong block from the Guiseley defence forced a corner.

The best chance of the half for the Blues came on the half hour mark, Dom Smalley found Gary Stopforth, who played in Dan Mooney, but he couldn’t test Joe Green in the Guiseley goal.

Despite plenty of endeavour from both sides, neither could forge any clear-cut chances before half time.

Guiseley continued to look strong at set pieces in the second half, with Kayode Odejayi getting his head to a couple, but failed to work Grant Shenton in the Blues goal.

With chances at a premium in the second half, Guiseley went close again. Cliff Moyo did well down the right, before crossing for Jack Dyche, but he couldn’t hit the target from close range due to good defending by Dom Smalley.

The Blues thought they’d found the games opening goal when the terrific Craig Mahon created a hard of space and crossed to find Jon Moran, but the Blues’ centre half’s header went agonisingly over the crossbar.

Guiseley had a golden opportunity to take the lead with quarter of an hour to play. Another set piece and headers from Clayton and Garner set up Rowan Liburd, but his header from six yards was straight at Shenton.

The hosts were really turning up the pressure in the second half and created another chance as Paul Clayton diverted an Alex Purver cross inches wide.

Chester’s resistance was finally broken in the 87th minute as Guiseley captain Scott Garner guided a header back across goal and it nestled into the top corner.

The Blues kept battling though, and were rewarded for their endeavours when Jon Moran rose to head beyond Joe Green to get Chester back level in the 93rd minute.

There was still a chance for the hosts to forge another chance and it looked as if Kaine Felix was going to snatch the win back for Guiseley when he rounded Grant Shenton, but Simon Grand was back to clear the ball out and ensure the Blues took a point back with them.

Chester: Shenton, Smalley, Howson, Burton (c) (Noble 57), Grand, Moran, Mahon (Miller 83), Stopforth, Dudley, Hughes, Mooney (Marsh-Hughes 66).

Subs: Thomson, King.

Guiseley: Green, Moyo, Heaton, Purver, Garner (c), Halls, Felix, James, Liburd, Odejayi (Clayton 66), Dyche.

Subs: Thornton, Hatfield, Smith, Clayton, Hussain.

Goal scorers: Chester: Moran (90+3). Guiseley: Garner (87).

Yellow cards: Chester: Grand, Smalley, Stopforth. Guiseley: Halls, Heaton.

Attendance: 806.