Guisborough Town 0

Shildon 2

RELEGATED Guisborough completed their season last Saturday by losing 2-0 to fellow under-achievers Shildon to finish bottom of division one.

But manager Steve Corden had nothing but praise for his battling players and the spirit of his coaching staff during a torrid season. Even in defeat the players, manager and staff showed great dignity as their loyal band of fans gave them a standing ovation as they left the field.

Guisborough's nightmare season has been hampered by injuries to key players, twice having points deducted for using ineligible players and having their playing budget slashed by more than half midway through the season.

Corden said: "Despite the major problems we have played very well throughout and the spirit has always been excellent."

After the wage cut, a player exodus forced Corden to scour Teesside and beyond for players and Guisborough played more than 50 different players during the season.

The Priorymen started brightly against Shildon and had their first chance within two minutes when Paul Wilson got down the right and picked out Simon Kasonali. He cleverly slipped the ball to Colin Iley, but his well hit shot was charged down.

Three minutes later Iley sent Wilson through the middle and he slotted a neat ball through for Kasonali to chase, but the last defender arrived with a crunching tackle just as the striker shaped up to shoot.

But Guisborough were stunned in the 13th minute when Shildon took the lead. Grant picked out Stephen Huggins, who fired a close-range shot past home keeper Andrew Vickers.

Guisborough again dug deep and almost had a chance to equalise within a minute when a neat ball through the middle fell to Kasonali, but defender Shoulder arrived to nick the ball off his feet.

The pressure continued as Wilson put a long-range effort straight at the keeper before player-manager Corden turned on the edge of the box to send a good effort just wide.

Guisborough were almost caught cold on 35 minutes when Shildon broke quickly. Walton sent Ewart storming clear into the box, but Adam McMahon tracked him all the way to put in a last-ditch tackle.

Shildon should have extended their lead on 40 minutes when Barnes curled a low shot to the far post where three unmarked players queued up, but Higgins put his header wide.

Guisborough had one of their best efforts just as the half was coming to a close when they won a free kick. Kasonali whipped in a low effort which sparked a goalmouth scramble and Iley stubbed his shot just wide.

Guisborough almost got the leveller on 55 minutes, but Wilson's effort was deflected wide by a defender and Shildon got their second on the hour against the run of play.

A loose ball fell to Huggins just outside the area and he decisively fired a ten-yard drive past the stranded Vickers.

Guisborough again tried to pick up the tempo and went close on several occasions. Kasonali muscled his way through the midfield and jinked his way past a static defence before firing in a shot which had visiting keeper Jackson scrambling to turn round.

Two minutes later substitute Stephen Dowling found the ball at his feet 20 yards out. The nippy midfielder turned his marker before firing in a low drive which went just wide.

Shildon went close on 80 minutes when Barnes got into the box, but Vickers was out quickly to smother his low drive.

Guisborough piled on the pressure in the closing minutes and had a series of good chances, but were unable to make the final shot count.

Guisborough: Vickers, McMahon, Chilmaid, Atkinson, Taylor, Haslam, Corden (Dowling), Kasonali, Wilson, Iley, Shimwell (Dunwell).