Guiseley 2 Accrington Stanley 1

STEVE Dickinson almost single-handedly denied Stanley a place in the semi finals of the UniBond League Challenge Cup with a stunning display of goalkeeping at Nethermoor last night.

The Reds gave everything in a brave performance which belied their lowly league position but couldn't find a way past Dickinson until six minutes from time.

After Stanley keeper Jamie Speare made a brilliant save from ex-Leeds United star Bobby Davison, the rest of the half belonged to the visitors.

A Les Thompson snap-shot flew just over, Damian McKay shot wide from Paul Heavey's pass and a Steve Baines effort was well held by Dickinson as Wayne Harrison's men piled on the pressure.

A superb inswinging corner from Mike Langhorn was somehow cleared from under the bar by Dickinson and he was forced into a tremendous save from a full blooded Noel Horner drive after the break.

But, ominously, Guiseley got stronger as the half progressed and on 68 minutes Davison met Neil Parsley's free kick with a glancing header which nestled in the corner.

Stanley stepped up the pressure and a good cross from Baines was well cleared by Phillips while Ingham's shot just cleared the bar.

Disaster struck on 82 minutes though when a long kick by Dickinson was flicked on to Davison who made no mistake.

Still Stanley would not give up and they pulled a goal back in the 84th minute, O'Callaghan scoring from the spot after being fouled in the area.

And they had chances to equalise but Heavey shot wide on the turn and another excellent save from Dickinson denied Horner in the dying seconds as the Yorkshiremen scraped through.

Accrington Stanley's UniBond League game at Bamber Bridge on Easter Monday is a 7.30pm kick off.

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