GUISELEY were left cursing the return of a familiar face to Nethermoor on Boxing Day, as former striker Adam Boyes scored a hat-trick against them for Marske United.

That ensured the struggling North-East side earned a surprise 3-2 win, and delivered a setback to the Lions’ play-off hopes in the Northern Premier League Premier Division.

Guiseley dominated in the early exchanges, yet it was Boyes who gave Marske the lead after 20 minutes, as he pounced on the hosts failing to clear their lines following a mazy run from visiting player Jason Kennedy.

The Lions grabbed a deserved equaliser almost instantly, with Reece Kendall heading home powerfully from Leigh Whelan’s well-delivered corner.

Liam Tongue drilled a free-kick just wide for Guiseley soon after, but the home side were indebted to Oliver Battersby making a superb save on the stroke of half-time to keep them level.

In a scrappy second half, Boyes continued to pose a threat to the hosts’ backline, and having fired just wide on the counter-attack not long after the interval, he finally found the breakthrough on 79 minutes.

A cross came in, experienced defender Kevin Burgess headed the ball down, and a grateful Boyes was on hand to slot home.

Things got worse for Guiseley moments later, after a dreadful error from keeper Battersby.

He was caught in possession by Boyes, who had the simple task of putting the ball into the empty net for his hat-trick.

Prince Ekpolo responded quickly for Guiseley to reduce the deficit to 3-2 before a huge moment of controversy at the death.

Tom Pratt, who had just been booked, looked to be through on goal for Guiseley five minutes into second-half stoppage time, only for the referee to fail to play advantage following a foul on his teammate earlier in the move.

A furious Pratt expressed his disbelief a little too vocally for the official’s liking, and he was shown a second yellow card to compound a miserable afternoon for the Lions.

It was a much happier day for boss Andy Welsh and his Guiseley side on Saturday, as they claimed a 1-0 win at lowly Basford United, in what was a cracking end-to-end contest.

The Lions were staring down the barrel after conceding a penalty to their hosts early in the second half, only for Battersby to save the spot-kick from Remaye Campbell.

That proved even more important given Gabriel Johnson scored the winner soon after.

After receiving a great ball into him from Tom Denton, the prolific forward cracked a shot beyond Basford stopper Kieran Preston and in off the post.

That mixed bag of Christmas results leaves Guiseley two points off the play-offs ahead of their next league game, which is at local rivals and relegation battlers Bradford (Park Avenue) on New Year’s Day.

Guiseley’s new loan signing from Hull City, Sincere Hall, was an unused substitute in that win over Basford, but was not selected for the game against Marske.

The 19-year-old Bermudan winger, on loan from the Championship side for the next month, made his senior debut for his country earlier this year.

He adds some much-needed attacking prowess to the Guiseley ranks, given Oldham Athletic recalled Jake Forshaw from his loan deal at Nethermoor last week.

Goalkeeper Brad Wade has also left the Lions, with a mutual contract termination agreed after the 23-year-old received an offer to play full-time abroad in the new year.