Boreham Wood boost survival hopes with crucial Guiseley win

The four teams fighting to stay out of the last two undecided drop slots now know the contest will go to the wire. However this timely victory gives Luke Garrard the comfort that his side know a win against basement side Welling United next weekend will be enough to avoid relegation.

Speaking after a dramatic afternoon at Meadow Park, Garrard said: “I'm very satisfied with the result.

"We made it very hard for ourselves second half but the defence and James Russell in particular were simply outstanding and with so much at stake it required nerves of steel and character which the boys gave me in abundance today. It is in our hands and that is an achievement for the club.”

Chairman's Player of the Year Scott Doe played a huge part in steadying the nerves both on and off the park in the heart of defence. The ever present 27-year-old has been a key player in Wood's first ever season at National League level since joining from Dagenham and Redbridge.

He said: “It was a shame we could not get a second goal when we had an obvious advantage first half. You never know as a defender what the opposition will throw at you in a relegation battle. Guiseley really put us under pressure after the break, yet we pulled it off."

Wood were without key defenders Danny Woodards through injury and David Stephens who was unwell, leading to a recall for Ben Nunn, whilst Joe Devera moved to partner Doe in the centre. Garrard opted for the familiar 4-5-1 formation that had served the side so well seven days earlier at Aldershot Town.

The first half belonged to Wood. They kept their shape well, finding pockets of space to use to their advantage and looked very comfortable, albeit with a slender one goal advantage going into the break.

The first attempt on goal took 17 minutes and fell to the Lions' Will Hatfield who failed to hit the target.

Sam-Yorke who had been well shackled broke free from his reigns after 20 minutes drifting past two challenges to see his shot blocked, before testing Stephen Drench in the Guiseley goal with a well-struck effort from the rebound.

The loan forward from Forest Green Rovers played his wide attacking role to good effect and his endeavour was rewarded after 23 minutes finishing off a fine move.

Wood had possession around the edge of the penalty area with Luke Howell on the left. His short pass inside for Conor Clifford allowed the Republic of Ireland Under-21 international to play Sam-Yorke through into the penalty area.

He executed a fine one-two with Ricky Shakes whose return pass set up Sam-Yorke to guide a superb half-volley that was well-placed beyond Drench to settle Wood nerves.

Nunn was playing with flair and without nerve in the attacking wing back role, serving to break up play and join the forwards when called upon. His low drive went just wide after 39 minutes, ending a move that featured both Sam-Yorke and Howell creating space going forward.

The comfortable first half in which James Russell was not called upon once in the Wood goal quickly gave way to a concerted and determined effort from the visitors to get something from the game.

Rob Atkinson saw his 47th minute header crash back into play via the crossbar from a corner, the first of what was to be many Lions attacks.

However it was Sam-Yorke who wrestled Wood from their second-half slumber in a move that so nearly settled the tie. With 59 minutes played a long clearance upfield was expertly steered in the path of Sam-Yorke by Clifford.

The Guiseley defenders were outdone by the pace of the Wood wide man who burst past two challengers before curling a fine effort beyond Drench that agonisingly struck the inside of the post, before coming back into play.

Oli Johnson began to pull the strings in the Lions attack. His effort after 60 minutes, a low drive from the right stung the palms of Russell, who relied on Devera to mop up.

Minutes later Johnson went even closer with a fierce rising angled drive that was as good as the flying acrobatic reaction save from Russell, the visitors a fingertip away from drawing level.

Guiseley were dominant at this stage and Johnson turned provider setting up Anthony Dudley who could not keep his left footed volley on target when well placed to score.

Howell tested Drench at the other end, who gathered at the second attempt as the urgency showed by the visitors was complimented with fresh legs from the bench.

With 15 minutes remaining Dudley and Adam Boyes combined on the edge of the Wood penalty area setting up Johnson. His effort was only half taken by Russell, who was grateful for Nunn's presence of mind to quickly clear behind for a corner.

Russell's man-of-the-match performance continued until the final whistle, commanding his area to see his side over the line for the most slender of wins that may well prove pivotal come next Saturday evening.

Wood are no longer concerned about the efforts of Altrincham who can now no longer catch them, but if Guiseley, who are now one point behind them, or Halifax Town who are level fail to win their final games, Garrard's side would only need to match their efforts to be safe, given their superior goal difference.

However Wood's Young Player of the Year Junior Morias has a clear mandate going into next Saturday's crunch game at Welling United.

He said: "We are going there to win, no question. That is our mentality and there is nothing else in our minds, rest assured.”

Boreham Wood: Russell, Nunn, Reynolds, Devera, Doe, Kamdjo, Shakes, C Clifford, White, Howell (Morias 66), Sam-Yorke.

Subs not used: Cox, Lucas, B Clifford, Connors.

Bookings: White, Morias.

Goals: Boreham Wood: Sam-Yorke 23.