FC Halifax 1 Guiseley 1: Walker to the rescue in thrilling derby

Anthony Dudley had given Guiseley the lead just after half-time but Walker’s super set-piece equalised with just over five minutes remaining.

Caretaker-manager Harvey said: “I think it was a fair result. It was a great strike by Sam and we were glad to see that one go in.

“We found it difficult to play but they (Guiseley) knocked it around well. In midfield, they’ve got some talented boys, who play good football and we struggled with that on occasions.

“Although I think we created the best chances, we hit the woodwork a couple of times.

“There was lots of effort and commitment from our boys but maybe a little less guile in our approach play.”

Guiseley manager Mark Bower said: “We played some good football and it was the kind of game you expect from a Yorkshire derby.”

Halifax went close in the first half when Kieran Sadlier’s shot was tipped onto the bar by Steve Drench.

Dudley was played through after springing the offside trap, but fired wide. The striker did find the net when he collected Gavin Rothery’s cross before sending Sam Johnson the wrong way with his shot from 10 yards.

Adam Boyes hit the post for the visitors; Jordan Burrow hit the bar from five yards out and Scott McManus’s shot brushed the post before Walker’s fierce shot crashed in off the underside of the bar to rescue a draw.

FC Halifax: Johnson, Bolton, O’Brien (Sadlier 22), Clappison, McManus, Macdonald (Walker 71), Wroe, James (Hibbs 81), Bencherif, Tuton, Burrow. Unused substitutes: Porter, Hutchison.

Guiseley: Drench, Lockwood, Lawlor, Lowe, Hurst (Toulson 59), Norburn, Smith (Dickinson 88), Hatfield, Rothery (N Boshell 76), Dudley, Boyes. Unused substitutes: Atkinson, Craddock.

Referee: O Yates (Lincolnshire).

Man of the match: Gavin Rothery.