Whitby Town 1-2 Guiseley

Johnson's close-range finish opened the scoring for the Lions before Josef Wheatley was sent off for Town following a comment which seemed to catch a nerve with referee Christopher Ellis who dismissed the midfielder for a sarcastic comment which was deemed to be 'abusive language'. In reality, the comment of "have you got a white shirt on?" was anything but abusive.

Tongue doubled the lead for the visitors in the second half before Jacob Gratton's penalty gave Whitby something to fight for in the final 20 minutes. To the Blues' credit, it was difficult to tell which side had eleven players on the pitch and which had ten.

Guiseley would also end the match a player down as Aiden Walker picked up his second yellow card in stoppage time, an incident which always looked likely to happen for someone unfortunate given the number of bookings handed out in a chaotic second half under the Turnbull lights.

Nathan Haslam made two changes from the side which drew 1-1 with Bradford (Park Avenue) as Wheatley, Aaron Haswell and Connor Smith came in for Max Howells, Junior Mondal and Nathan Thomas.

Wheatley's start was the first since the Seasiders' win at Guiseley in August where he was substituted following a groin injury which saw him ruled out for a lengthy period of time.

The visitors, occupying fifth spot in the Pitching In Northern Premier League Premier Division, went close to taking the lead inside the opening three minutes as Tongue's free-kick from distance flew just over the crossbar.

Whitby's first opening came thanks to some fantastic running from Haswell who slipped a neat through ball into the path of Alfie Doherty who then lay the ball off to Connor Smith, however his fierce strike from a tight angle drifted wide of the post.

In the 20th minute, Guiseley took the lead through Johnson's tap-in. As Tongue's corner kick from the left was not cleared, the ball cannoned back off the post into the path of Johnson who couldn't miss.

Tongue went close to doubling Guiseley's advantage minutes later as the former Hyde United midfielder latched onto a loose ball on the edge of the area, but his strike was blocked by the legs of Shane Bland.

Doherty then came close for the Seasiders, firing wide in similar fashion to Smith earlier in the half as his right-footed effort went narrowly off target.

On the stroke of half time came the controversial sending off of Wheatley, a red card which stunned the Towbar Express Stadium into great confusion in all corners.

In the second half, Haswell almost got his side level as the versatile midfielder drove forwards before his low effort was dragged wide of Oliver Battersby's left-hand post.

Priestley Griffiths then came agonisingly close as he rattled the woodwork with a strike from the edge of the 18-yard box.

But in the 68th minute, Guiseley extended their lead through Tongue's accurate strike into the bottom corner. After a free-kick was awarded on the right-wing, the ball fell kindly for Tongue who took a couple of touches before rifling home beyond Bland.

Guiseley's goal cushion was reduced to one in the 72nd minute as substitute Howells was brought down inside the area. Gratton stepped up to emphatically fire his penalty kick down the middle, past Battersby.

Another player introduced from the bench, Thomas, should have got Whitby back on level terms in second half stoppage time as he somehow missed a huge chance at the back post after the ball was played across the face of goal. With only Battersby to beat, he put the ball wide.

Walker, already on a booking following the penalty incident, saw red in the fourth minute of six added following a challenge on Coleby Shepherd who was venturing forwards from left-back.

Whitby Town will look to return to winning ways on Saturday afternoon when Haslam's side travel to Matlock Town (kick-off 3pm).