Late goal denies Cox first win as Lions boss

Guiseley were moments away from their first win with Paul Cox as manager but had to settle for a point away at Wrexham.

The match looked to have been settled thanks to a first-half strike and some good keeping from Joe Green, but Sam Wedbury equalised with 96 minutes on the clock.

After the match Cox spoke of his frustration at the final score, while taking some positives.

He said: “The lads are gutted, I thought some of them looked a little leggy as the game progressed in the latter stages, we have to take some positives from facing a big side like Wrexham and them celebrating that draw.

“Since I have come in the lads have listened and worked hard, we have to build from that.”

The match started and Guiseley forward Raul Correia looked dangerous for the visitors when he struck first time and his effort went just wide.

Wrexham came into this game in good form and could have taken the lead when a cross nearly found Scott Boden who just couldn’t make contact with the pass despite stretching for it. Lee Molyneux had an effort for the visitors, but former Huddersfield Town keeper Luke Coddington judged the flight of the ball well and tipped it away.

The encouraging start for Guiseley was rewarded with the opening goal, when Will Hatfield had a shot that took a deflection and fell nicely for Correia who got his name on the scoresheet.

Just before half-time Wrexham broke forward but Green did well to get off his line and collect the ball stopping the potential danger.

The Lions again started brightly with fromer Wrexham man John Rooney’s corner just being headed over Correia.

Wrexham had a good opportunity moments later when Boden was unable to get his header on target after good build-up play.

The pace of the game started to fade away at times with Guiseley knowing how important the win would be.

Green was again tested when Chris Holroyd was found in the area but the stopper positioned himself smartly to block the effort.

Near the end the score could have been more in Guiseley’s favour with Rob Atkinson having an effort saved from a corner near the end of the match.

But Wedgbury saw his shot go in from just outside the area to the relief of Wrexham fans and the frustration of the Guiseley’s players and supporters.

FC Halifax Town went down 3-1 at Dagenham and Redbridge, with Matty Brown netting the Shaymen’s consolation on 70 minutes.

Conference North leaders Harrogate Town are through to the Third Qualifying Round of the FA Cup thanks to a 3-0 home win over NCE Premier side Penistone Church.

The visitors held out until the 57th minute when Terry Kennedy netted his fourth of the season.

Jack Emmett (70) made it two before former Leeds United defender Ben Parker wrapped up the win five minutes later.

Bradford Park Avenue are also through after a 3-0 win at Southport. Former Guiseley man Adam Boyes (16) got the opener, another ex-Lion Oli Johnson made it two, a couple of minutes later before Javan Vidal added gloss early in the second half as Avenue made it eight games without defeat.

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Farsley Celtic made it back-to-back wins, as they piled the misery on bottom of the table Halesowen Town, with a 3-1 victory.

Ryan Watson, Richard Marshall, and the league’s top scorer James Walshaw were all on target as Farsley ran out comfortable winners, despite being reduced to 10 men.

Farsley took a deserved lead just before the half-hour mark as Walshaw fed Marshall who had his shot saved by Daniel Platt, with Watson on hand to tap home the rebound.

Just moments later Farsley doubled their lead as Paul Walker delivered a cross from the by-line to Marshall who hit the back of the net.

Halesowen came close to pulling a goal back just before half-time as Oliver Finny shot inches wide following some neat build-up play.

Just after the hour mark Farsley were reduced to 10 men as Adam Clayton brought down Daniel Udoh, who the referee adjudged to be through on goal.