GUISBOROUGH Town’s hopes of continuing their recent mini-revival were dashed at Bishop Auckland last Saturday when the home side proved too strong for the depleted Priorymen.

It was a lacklustre display from Guisborough, who suffered a setback shortly before kick-off when in-form striker Matty Pennal failed a late fitness test and his on-loan strike partner Anthony Hume was called back to Whitby Town.

It meant Town manager Steve Dowling had to field a makeshift attack, with midfielders Thibault Charmey and Chris Youldon pushed up front, and although they battled away as hard as anyone, Guisborough faded in the second half after holding the Bishops to 0-0 at half-time.

After their morale-boosting 3-1 midweek victory over Washington, in which Pennal scored two more goals, the loss of the forward due to a leg injury sustained in the Washington game was a serious blow to the Priorymen.

The absence of a recognised striker certainly showed in the first half as Guisborough’s attacks continually petered out, while Bishops always looked threatening at the other end, although their finishing was wayward at times.

Both sides hit the woodwork in the first half – Bishops after just 10 minutes when impressive former Derby Country left back Michael Hoganson hit a fierce shot which struck the bar and bounced clear.

Young Guisborough keeper Ryan Catterick kept the scoreline blank with excellent saves to deny Ian Ward on 12 and 28 minutes respectively.

Guisborough went close themselves on 23 minutes when Liam McPhillips linked up well with Youldon, but his hard-struck shot was well saved by Bishops keeper Edward Wilczynski.

In the 39th minute, Guisborough went very close to breaking the deadlock when a corner came across into a crowded goalmouth and Wilczynski parried the ball on to the inside of the post before the Bishops defence somehow managed to scramble clear.

Guisborough were relieved to get to half-time still on level terms and after the interval they continued to thwart wave after wave of Bishops attacks. The home side forced four corners in quick succession around the hour mark, but Guisborough still managed to survive the relentless Bishops pressure.

But Guisborough finally cracked in the 71st minute when good work down the left by Jeff Smith resulted in a cross which found Andy Johnson completely unmarked and he made no mistake, hammering the ball home from just six yards out.

Just two minutes later, Johnson doubled Bishops’ lead with a speculative overhead kick from the edge of the area which somehow went in off the underside of the bar.

In a frantic final few minutes, Bishops increased their lead to 3-0 on 90 minutes when Ward scored with a header following an in-swinging corner. A minute later, Guisborough finally got on the scoresheet when substitute James Warnett scored what proved to be a consolation goal.

Dowling said afterwards: “I thought today we were beaten by the better side and I wish them good luck in their forthcoming FA Cup tie. Bishops have a very mobile team and their passing movement caused us problems all afternoon, but I cannot fault our lads’ effort and commitment.

"It was difficult going into the game with no recognised forwards as Matty Pennal failed a late fitness test and our other main striker Connor Smith was at work, while Anthony Hume was called back to Whitby.”