Guiseley 1 Braintree 1: Lions' goal '˜worst thing I've seen on football pitch' says Braintree's boss

They grabbed the leveller after the ball had been put out of play due to an injury to Braintree’s Michael Cheek. The throw-in went to Oliver Norburn, who sent the ball back to the Braintree goalkeeper, who missed it and saw it land in the back of the net.

Guiseley manager Mark Bower said: “The goal is a grey area, we will grab a lot of attention for this, it was a tough call.”

But Braintree’s Dan Cowley fumed, saying: “It is what it is, this is the worst thing I have seen on a football pitch.”

Early on, Cheek hit the side-netting from a tight angle and Simeon Akinola fired wide a half-volley before Norburn forced a flying save from Tom King with a shot from 20 yards.

The hosts then had an effort cleared off the line when Nicky Boshell’s shot was smartly blocked by Matt Paine.

Braintree took the lead just before half-time when Cheek was put through and he calmly placed the ball beyond goalkeeper Dan Atkinson.

Guiseley started well in the second half and should have scored when Norburn, Anthony Dudley and Emile Sinclair led a break, but Norburn decided to pass again in the area and Braintree got players back and were able to clear.

The hosts started pushing men forward with Braintree working on the counter. Akinola should have made it two when played through but Atkinson was brave and got his body in the way.

Guiseley: D Atkinson, Lowe, R.Atkinson, Hall, Hurst, Lawlor, D Boshell (Rothery 45) N.Boshell, Dudley (Boyes 53) Norburn, Sinclair (L Dickinson 63). Unused substitutes: Toulson, Parker, Boyes.

Braintree Town: King, Habergham, Phillips, Paine, Brundle, Edgar, Isaac, (Miles 90) Woodyard, Davis, Akinola, Cheek (Marks 75). Unused substitutes: Gardner, Clerima, Crowe

Referee: T Nield (Huddersfield).

Man of the match: Michael Cheek.