A Danny Boshell wonder strike was enough to knock FC Halifax Town out of the West Riding cup as they succumbed to a 1-0 defeat at Guiseley.
Boshell rifled a shot past the despairing Phil Senior just after half time to send the hosts through to the semi-finals against either Garforth Town or Farsley.
In a game that provided plenty of nice play but little execution, the game was always likely to be decided by a magical moment and that was certainly the case
Although the travelling support was not able to enjoy Harry Ramsden's, they were treated to a free flowing open game. Ex-Shaymen Mark Bower and Simon Ainge both had attempts at goal early on but were comfortably dealt with by Phil Senior.
Both sides were likely to be hoping to put the game to bed within 90 minutes and this was evident with both sides playing with an offensive impotence. Will Hatfield was pulling the strings from the heart of the Halifax midfield, and his long shot after 20 minutes dipped just over the bar.
This sparked a reaction from the home side, who took the initiative to find the opening goal. Simon Garner, who operated from left back, did superbly to block a Boshell shot after Joe O'Neill dummied expertly to provide him the opening. Fromthe resulting corner 'The Whites' further penetrated for a goal, but O'Neill, Danny Forrest and Michael Burns all failed to beat Senior.
And Town nearly made them rue their missed chances, with Jason St Juste being the architect to an explosive counter attack which saw him beat his man before providing a cross for Cameron Darkwah, but Jacob Giles palmed away his placed header.
James Walshaw had cut a lonely figure in the opening stages, but he made his presence felt after half an hour when his crafty run ended with a shot on the turn but Senior provided another comfortable save.
Ex-Huddersfield man Andy Holdsworth replaced Gaving Rothery in the 36th minute, and it didn't take him long to make an impact, he found space for a curling effort, and although beating Senior, he didn't beat the near post.
Despite a lot of fluent football, both sides on the whole were being restricted to long shots, however the hosts had a glorious chance on the stroke of half time when a huge goal mouth scramble pursued but it was eventually scrambled away by the impressive Luke Ashworth.
After a frantic first half, more of the same was on show in the second, however this time, Guiseley found the opening.
Dave Merris' lofted ball was controlled elegantly by Boshell before he rocketed a shot into the top right hand corner from 25 yards, leaving Senior completely helpless to the joy of the home crowd.
'The Shaymen' responded well, and with a bit more luck could have been level. The returning Brett Renshaw came agonizingly close to scoring with a header before a mazy run from Darkwah provided the opening for assistant Lee Nogan, but his shot sailed harmlessly over the bar.
Unfortunately, the visitors failed to keep up the same level of intensity for the rest of the game, and Senior was called into action once again to stop Walshaw, O'Neill and substiture James Booker before the game fizzled to a close.
Despite a disappointing result, Town can take heart that they competed throughout against a strong Guiseley outfit, and they will hope to get back to winning ways on Saturday at The Shay against promotion rivals Nuneaton Borough.
Att. 281
Man of the match: Will Hatfield
Matthew Shaw
