WORCESTER City succumbed to their first defeat of the Vanarama Conference North season when they went down 1-0 at Guiseley on Saturday (August 16).
A solitary first-half header from Danny Forrest was enough to split the two teams, with Nick Wright coming closest for City when his drilled effort hit the outside of the post.
Guiseley kept their 100 per cent start to the campaign in tact despite having to see out the last few minutes with ten men after Gavin Rothery saw red for a second bookable offence.
The visitors started strongly and could have opened the scoring after 17 minutes when last season’s top-scorer Daniel Nti burst through The Lions’ defence but scuffed his effort wide.
Eleven minutes later and it was the hosts who got their noses infront when the lively Wayne Brooksby sent in a deep cross which Forrest was able to guide past Nathan Vaughan and into the back of the net.
Mark Bower’s men were inches away from doubling their lead just before the break when Forrest nodded wide an Alex MxQuade cross before Guiseley’s scorer then forced an acrobatic save from Vaughan immediately after the restart.
The Blue and Whites grew into the game and were almost rewarded when neat interplay between Danny Jackman and Wright saw the latter break free down the left, cut inside and unleash an effort which clipped the post.
Wright was in the thick of the action moments later when he anticipated a Rothery back pass to nip in and take the ball round keeper Steve Drench, but the striker’s touch was too heavy and the ball went out of play.
Against the run of play, the hosts nearly doubled their lead but Brooksby’s low free-kick was tipped onto the post by Vaughan.
Worcester given a brief lifeline when Rothery saw red after illegally halting Nti’s run on goal, but Guiseley held on to claim their third win on the bounce.
Manager Heeley said: “The only criticism was that we did not work the keeper enough, particularly in the second half, but the positives are that we evenly matched a side that are going to be challenging at the top come the end of the season.
“I thought we played well but the disappointment for me is to have 70 per cent of the ball in the second half and not work the keeper enough.
“But credit to Guiseley, I thought they defended well and kept their shape but I thought it was a bit harsh that we got beat.”
Worcester will look to claim their first win of the new season when they welcome Tamworth to Aggborough on Saturday (August 23).