Dulwich Hamlet’s best FA Trophy run of recent years came to at the hands of Vanarama Conference North side Guiseley as, despite a spirited performance against loftier opponents, the Lions prevailed 2-1 in the final reckoning. Dulwich’s opponents probably deserved their victory but the Hamlet gave a good account of themselves and, urged on by the majority of an excellent crowd of 1,949, came desperately close to forcing a replay back in Yorkshire in the closing stages.

Dulwich Hamlet also started the game exceptionally well. For the first ten minutes or so Gavin Rose’s men were camped in the visitors’ half and Albert Jarrett went close to giving Dulwich the lead with a rising shot from 15 yards that narrowly missed finding the top corner. But, in the 13th minute, Guiseley gained a corner and, when the ball was only half-cleared, James Hurst hit a low screamer from 20 yards that curled delightfully inside Phil Wilson’s left-hand post to put the West Yorkshire side in front. Danny Waldren later tested visiting ‘keeper Steve Drench with a well-struck half-volley. However shortly afterwards, in the 27th minute, Guiseley scored again. Loan striker Anthony Dudley, recently returned from Bury, tried a shot from the edge of the penalty area, the ball taking the cruellest of deflections off a Dulwich defender to loop up, over and beyond the reach of Phil Wilson.

This further setback unsettled the Dulwich Hamlet defence and for a time the team appeared likely to concede further goals as the Guiseley Lions, buoyed by this piece of fortune, gained in confidence. For a spell Dulwich were on the rack and it seemed almost inevitable that they would concede further goals. Fortunately, Phil Wilson was in fine form and he came to the rescue of the Hamlet with a pair of excellent saves, both denying Adam Boyes. Danny Hall also went close for Guiseley with a header just over the bar following a corner.

However, as halftime approached, Dulwich fought back strongly, In the 42nd minute, Drench made a top drawer reflex save low to his left to parry a 15-yard drive from Nyren Clunis. A free kick from Ashley Carew was then deflected over the bar, but, from the resultant corner, Dulwich Hamlet would reduce the arrears. Mitchell Nelson climbed highest meeting Ashley Carew’s flag kick to head home his third goal in successive games.

Phil Wilson blocked well from Hurst early in the second half and later saved a long-range effort from Oliver Norburn. In between Dulwich Hamlet had strong appeals for a spotkick when Dean McDonald was brought to ground in the box after ghosting past a brace of defenders. Ashley Carew then went close with a 30-yard free kick, before Dean McDonald saw his angled drive deflected over the crossbar. As the minutes ticked away and Dulwich Hamlet pushed more and more resources into the fight for that elusive equaliser, Guiseley spotted the opportunities to threaten once more on the break, Will Hatfield just wide with a diving header from a left-wing cross.

But most of the closing action took place in the Guiseley 18-yard area. Ryan Moss flashed a shot narrowly wide, then, in the fourth minute of stoppage time, Mitchell Nelson headed against the upright with Dean McDonald’s attempt to force home the follow-up thwarted as Drench blocked on the line. There was still time for just one last attack but the luck was out as Dean McDonald fired wide of both the ‘keeper and the far post.

For the record the attendance at Champion Hill that afternoon was easily the biggest of the FA Trophy fixtures of the day, beating crowds at former Football League clubs, Torquay United, Grimsby and Chester.

Dulwich Hamlet: Phil Wilson; Mitchell Nelson; Jordan Hibbert; Danny Waldren; Matt Drage (Jacob Erskine 76); Ethan Pinnock; Nyren Clunis; Ashley Carew; Dean McDonald; Damian Scannell (Gus Sow 90+1); Albert Jarrett (Ryan Moss 60)
Subs not used: Jack Dixon; Osei Sankofa

Guiseley: 1 Steve Drench; 2 Ryan Toulson; 4 Danny Lowe (Capt.); 6 Jake Lawlor; 9 Adam Boyes (16 Liam Dickinson 70); 11 Gavin Rothery; 12 Danny Hall; 14 Will Hatfield; 34 Anthony Dudley (8 Danny Boshell 83); 35 Oliver Norburn (3 Ben Parker 89); 36 James Hurst
Subs not used: 5 Adam Lockwood; 25 Rob Atkinson

Goals:
Dulwich Hamlet: Mitchell Nelson (44)
Guiseley: James Hurst (13); Anthony Dudley (27)

Attendance: 1,949