Brakes 0 Guiseley 1: Referee’s penalty apology proves of little consolation to Brakes after opening-day loss

That D’Aguilar subsequently apologised for not awarding a penalty when Jordan Goddard’s cross was handled in the box was of little consequence to Brakes boss Paul Holleran, however.

“Refs at this level shouldn’t miss such an easy decision,” tweeted Holleran once the initial rage had subsided.

It was a shame that the non-decision was a major talking point after a match which, especially in the first half, crackled with excitement and no little skill.

Both sides came out full of attacking intent and it was Brakes who had the first sight of goal following a fine piece of individual skill from Danny Newton.

The striker showed neat close control to run at the heart of the Guiseley defence before laying the ball off for Stefan Moore, whose fierce drive was beaten away by Steve Drench. Aron Wint’s follow-up was then deflected away from danger by the body of a defender.

At the other end, Oli Johnson drew a fine save from Neil Collett after being allowed too much space on the angle of the six-yard box.

Johnson saw another shot deflected over before slipping Adam Boyes through, with Collett out smartly to save with his legs.

The pace of the game was unrelenting and Lee Chilton drew another save from Drench, while Boyes was unable to direct his lob on target after nipping in ahead of Collett.

Drench looked uncertain under the high ball all game and was nearly embarrassed in the 23rd minute after failing to collect a high ball on the edge of his box. Newton was the quickest to react and turned the ball goalwards only for Danny Ellis to spare his keeper’s blushes by diverting the ball off the line at full stretch.

Wint was just off-target with a measured effort after James Mace’s long throw had caused havoc in the visitors’ box and Newton’s improvised effort from the resultant corner cleared the bar.

An ambitious 35-yard effort from Jake Lawlor had Collett scrambling across his goal, but it would have been unfair on either side had they gone in at the break trailing.

After the frenetic pace of the first 45 minutes, the intensity understandably dropped after the break, with more long balls in evidence.

Boyes provided Collett with an anxious moment as he curled a shot just wide of the post and Lawlor should have done better with a free header before Brakes got their clearest sight of goal.

A flick-on set Lee Chilton clear but instead of pulling the trigger, he tried to pick out Stefan Moore at the far post and the opportunity was lost.

It was to prove a turning point as a minute later, Guiseley scored the match-winner.

And former Bradford City striker Danny Forrest needed no second invitation to shoot, unleashing a vicious 30-yard strike which left Collett rooted to the spot.

A mistake from Stuart Pierpoint almost presented Guiseley with a second, but Collett was equal to Nicky Boshell’s well-struck shot.

Leamington were then denied what looked a cast-iron penalty as a Guiseley defender used both arms to block Goddard’s cross.

A wayward Lee Moore strike, apart, Leamington were then kept at arm’s length for the rest of the game by the well-drilled visitors.