THE Easter bank holiday proved very productive for Guisborough Town as they picked up four valuable points from their two games.

The away victory on Monday against East Cleveland rivals Marske United was all the sweeter because it ended a run of six consecutive derby defeats. This followed up a battling display against lively Brandon United two days earlier.

Marske Utd 1

Guisborough Town 2

On a warm but blustery bank holiday morning, Guisborough travelled to local rivals Marske United ready to lay the ghost of six consecutive defeats.

The first half was played at a hectic pace with no quarter given or expected. Marske had the better of the opening minutes and went close on a couple of occasions.

They first threatened on six minutes when Michael Ward burst through the middle and fired in a low shot which keeper Adrian Swan just turned round.

Within minutes the home side again almost penetrated Guisborough's defence. Ward found a way down the middle before passing to Craig Gibbin, whose volley went just wide.

Guisborough fought their way back into the game after this quick-fire start from the home side and had several good chances before they deservedly took the lead on 26 minutes.

Guisborough's playmaker Sean Howes slipped his marker and fired in a low cross which ever alert striker Thomas Jones half volleyed into the net.

The second half was more even, with both teams creating a crop of chances.

In the opening minutes of the half Greg Booth headed over for Marske, while Howes had a 20-yard rocket blocked by John Jackson's legs at the other end.

On 64 minutes Guisborough doubled their advantage when Howes again fed the ball into the area and this time Michael Todd curled in a 20-yard shot which gave keeper Jackson no chance.

Credit should go to Marske, who battled their way back into the match. They were rewarded on 67 minutes when a mix-up in the area let Booth in to fire home a ten-yard shot which was deflected past the stranded Swan.

As the match drew to a close Marske threw everyone forward, but the resolute Guisborough defence stood firm

Guisborough Town 2

Brandon Utd 2

On a warm Saturday afternoon, Guisborough welcomed Brandon United to the King George V ground. Both teams played like champions and deserved their point.

Guisborough had the better of the opening minutes and went into the lead on 20 minutes when nippy forward and ex-Boro reserve Thomas Jones hammered in a 20-yard thunderbolt from the edge of the box.

The Priorymen continued to press forward, but they were caught out by a quick break and some sloppy defending in the 27th minute when Mark Patterson broke free to slot home.

Robbie Marsden stunned the home crowd on 42 minutes when he nipped into the box and found space to put Brandon 2-1 up just before the break.

Early in the second half Guisborough had every right to believe they might take all three points as they pressed forward time after time and created numerous chances.

But it took them until the 87th minute to break down the dogged Brandon defence. The equaliser came when Kevin Newall found time and space to volley home from the edge of the box and Guisborough could have taken all threee points in the dying seconds of the match but for a fine save from Ben Cole, who went full length to turn round substitute Chris Pearson's close range shot.

Guisborough: Corbett, McMahon, Dunwell (Clarke), Ritchie, Mowbray, Robbins, Howes, Kasonalli, Todd (Pearson), Newall, Jones (Dowd).

Guisborough's next match is tomorrow, when they are away to Tow Law Town, kick off 3pm