GUISBOROUGH Town extended their unbeaten league run since the start of the year to an impressive seven games following a hard-earned point in a 1-1 draw at Teesside derby rivals Billingham Synthonia on Friday. When the game got underway, Guisborough got a shock after just 18 minutes when the Synners took the lead through striker Lewis Wood who headed home a Tom Gavin cross. Despite pressing hard for an equaliser the teams went in at half time with Synthonia still a goal up.

However, eight minutes into the second half Guisborough equalised when a Nathan Steel header was well saved by Dawson but he couldn’t hold on to the ball and it rebounded off Billingham defender Gaston and rolled back over the goal-line for 1-1. Both sides – and Guisborough in particular - pressed for a winner after that but it wasn’t to be with Synners’ keeper Dawson thwarting the Priorymen on a number of occasions to ensure both sides shared a point apiece.

The outcome didn’t do much for Synthonia’s desperate plight anchored firmly at the foot of the table still nearly 20 points adrift of safety. But the point was valuable for Guisborough who consolidated their league position at 15th – five places and eight points clear of the third relegation spot.

Guisborough Manager Gary Forster said although he was pleased his side kept their unbeaten run going, he was a “little disappointed” that his team couldn’t take their chances to force what would have been the Priorymen’s third league win on the trot.

“I thought we were a little over-confident against a Synthonia languishing rock bottom of the Division One table,” said Gary. He continued: “Synthonia have gradually built up a good squad during the season and recently although they have lost games they have actually competed well and put themselves in with a chance of getting something out of a number of matches they have played.”

“One of their signings who has done particularly well is our former goalkeeper James Dawson - who we released earlier in the season because he wanted regular, first team games. James was exceptional against us tonight so hat’s off to him for a fine performance,” added Gary.

Now, after six tough games on the trot away from home, Guisborough at last return to the KGV Stadium tomorrow, kick-off 3pm for a crucial match against fast-improving Team Northumbria. They are three places above Guisborough in the league table but in the more indicative Northern League ‘Current Form’ table Team Northumbria stand out at the top, unbeaten in their last six matches with five wins and one draw.

But Guisborough themselves have climbed steadily up the form table in recent weeks to seventh place with two wins and four draws from their last six games. Town Manager Gary Forster commented, “It will be a very tough game against Team Northumbria next Saturday - they are on a great run at the moment, even better than our current good form. Northumbria had a good 3-1 win at Seaham on Saturday so they are clearly still in excellent form but we are on a very good run ourselves and as I’ve said before – on our day we can give any team in the league a run for their money.”