GUISELEY’S hopes of winning the Northern Premier League Premier Division may be over, after they slipped to a 2-0 defeat at Morpeth Town last night.

The Lions were on a long unbeaten run, giving them faint hope of catching runaway leaders Macclesfield, but they were second-best in the North East, and now look likely to have to settle for the play-offs.

Luke James gave Morpeth the lead yesterday with a spectacular strike from the left win after only four minutes.

Jack Emmett fired an effort just wide as Guiseley almost equalised, but then visiting keeper Joe Cracknell had to make a brilliant stop to keep out Jack Foalle.

Bradford City loanee Harry Ibbitson could not find the net for the Lions from a tight angle, as they went into the break 1-0 down.

And they also made a disastrous start to the second half, Nic Bollado doubling the home side’s lead from close range.

Lewis Whitham came on at half-time and looked bright, having a shot brilliantly blocked by Nathan Buddle before forcing a save out of Dan Langley.

Emmett fired over with 10 minutes to go before team-mate George Sebine struck a shot wide in the dying moments.

The defeat punctured the good feeling created by Guiseley on Saturday, when they earned a brilliant 4-1 win at promotion rivals Worksop Town.