FA Trophy: Frustrated Lions still in the hat for the next round

However, the Lions should have won their clash against Dover Athletic on Saturday to avoid a replay.

Mark Bower’s side conceded late on which meant they fell to a late 2-2 draw away from home.

Duane Ofori-Acheampong dealt the late blow to Guiseley, firing the ball into the back of the net after a corner kick to make the 275 mile journey home seem all the longer.

The Guiseley players entered the game wearing black armbands in tribute to supporters secretary Craig Shearstone, who sadly passed away before the game.

The visitors created the better chances from the off.

James Hurst placed a cross perfectly into the penalty area, and only a Richard Orlu clearance stopped the ball from falling to the Guiseley attackers, waiting and ready to pounce, saving a certain goal.

However, the pressure soon told. Guiseley took the lead just before half-time when Dover failed to clear a corner.

The ball fell to midfielder Will Hatfield, who fired the ball cleanly and straight into the corner of the goal.

Emile Sinclair then nearly had a telling impact within 45 minutes of making his debut. The last chance of the half saw the York City loanee lead a counter attack. He found Gavin Rothery, but his effort went narrowly wide.

Dover started the second half with a chance of their own, Ricky Miller headed just over Steven Drench’s goal.

The hosts then nearly grabbed an equaliser.

Nick Deverdics aimed a corner, but Drench in the Guiseley net was fortunate to see the ball hit the crossbar and go out of play.

It was a sign of things to come. Dover got their goal when Jack Parkinson was found by Sean Raggett. Parkinson was able to fire the ball past Drench.

There was almost a perfect response from Guiseley. Sinclair put the ball in the back of the net, but it was ruled out for offside as Liam Dickinson, who had interfered in play, was ahead of the defence.

Guiseley did, however, regain the lead. Dover goalkeeper Andy Rafferty chose to punch an effort away from his net. The ball fell straight to Rothery, who calmly finished to seemingly win the game for the Lions.

It was not to be. With only moments to go, Ofori-Acheampong hit the equaliser to send the tie to a replay.