Paddy Davitt Guiseley 2, King's Lynn 4: Gareth Sheldon's knee injury marred Lynn's Unibond Premier Division win at Nethermoor Park. Sheldon left the ground on crutches with his left knee heavily bandaged after twisting awkwardly in the turf during the second half of a thrilling contest.

Paddy Davitt

Guiseley 2, King's Lynn 4

Gareth Sheldon's knee injury marred Lynn's Unibond Premier Division win at Nethermoor Park.

Sheldon left the ground on crutches with his left knee heavily bandaged after twisting awkwardly in the turf during the second half of a thrilling contest.

The 29-year-old striker was treated on the pitch for fully five minutes before being stretchered away with his leg strapped in a protective brace.

Lynn's medical staff initially requested an ambulance but Sheldon was able to travel home on the team coach ahead of a precautionary check-up at a local hospital closer to his Midlands base.

Linnets' chief Carl Heggs confirmed there was no break but admitted he faces an anxious wait over the next day or two amid fears Lynn's premier six goal league striker has suffered possible ligament damage.

“Any time you are carried off on a stretcher it's a big worry,” said Heggs. “The defender had him under a bit of pressure and as he's gone to push off his left knee has locked in the turf. Only time will tell, but there is no break. Our physio was worth his weight in gold in that situation because he is a professional and did everything right. He put the leg in a brace and called an ambulance but Shelly didn't go off in the ambulance because we didn't see it as that severe. He's gone to get a scan locally and then we'll await the results.”

Lynn's master poacher will miss tomorrow's home game against high flying North Ferriby along with strike partner Anthony Robinson who begins a three match ban.

Recent attacking recruit Iyseden Christie was not involved at Guiseley after his Bank Holiday debut at Retford with Heggs' revealing Christie had been released on the eve of the trip north amid fitness concerns.

“Overweight, overweight,” was the manager's verdict. “He played the one game and I wasn't impressed. With him and Sheldon up front at Retford we looked liked the umpa lumpas . I can have one but I need someone else who is rapid and strong in behind.

“By my count that is 11 goals in seven games for Shelly and Robbo and I've probably lost both of them for the next game which is a nightmare, but I can find players. I think I've proved that already. If needs be, I'll have a centre forward in here for Tuesday by hook or by crook. The good thing is we have an insurance policy at this club which the chairman sorted out that allows us to free up money if a player is injured for a period of time like Jason White. Let's look on the positive side - it gives someone else an opportunity.”

Sheldon's opening salvo looked to have put Lynn in command before Robinson raced onto the former Tamworth striker's through ball to slot a third.

Danny Gay parried Anthony Lloyd's penalty after debutant Jay Smedley had hauled back Steve Burton but Lee Tuck's shot deflected off Craig McAughtrie to grab Guiseley a lifeline.

Tuck was then penalised for handball after racing through to fire underneath Gay before Craig Bentham's piledriver flew past the Lynn stopper following Sheldon's lengthy injury stoppage to set up a grandstand finish.

But Owen Story pounced on Bentham's underhit back pass to square for Robinson deep into five minutes of added on time to settle a breathless second half.

“I was up Tuesday morning until 4.30am after the Retford match working out whether to change my system for this game,” said Heggs. “Guiseley is a good side. I know a couple of their players and they pay more money than we do so I knew we couldn't go and be cavalier. Ryan (Beswick) and Owen are two decent wingers but they've only had one goal in six games so I had to make a difficult decision.

“That was to go with a five and change the shape. I spoke to a couple of managers like Tommy Taylor who has been in this league and Larry Chambers who won it with Telford and they both said, 'just beast it out, get organised, and find a couple of good centre forwards.' That's what we've got but unfortunately now both could be unavailable for a while.”

Guiseley: Guiseley: Worsnop, Lloyd, Fitzgerald, Needham, Ellis (Nestor 90), Cotterill, Malcher (Burton 70), Bentham, Tuck, Reeves, Merris. Subs (not used): Davey, White, Ratchford.

Goals: Tuck (70), Needham (88)

Bookings: Cotterill, Bentham

King's Lynn: Gay, Magunda, Spencer, McAughtrie, Boyce, Murray (Smedley 66), Webb (Smith 62), Oliver, Sheldon (Story 69), Robinson, Lloyd. Subs (not used): Beswick, McAnally.

Goals: Sheldon (3, 65), Robinson (68, 90)

Bookings: Oliver, Lloyd, Smedley

Referee: A Greenwood (York)

Attendance: 277

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