Guiseley denied FA Cup upset as Stevenage edge through on penalties
![Stevenage edged past Guiseley on penalties (Jeff Holmes/PA)](https://www.footballmad.co.uk/content/images/2024/11/Guiseley-denied-FA-Cup-upset-as-Stevenage-edge-through-on-penalties.webp)
Guiseley were denied a famous FA Cup win as they lost 5-4 on penalties away to Stevenage.
The Northern Premier League side deserve plenty of plaudits and maybe more after the match had finished 1-1 following extra time.
But two saves during the penalty shoot-out from home goalkeeper Murphy Cooper, one from Lebrun Mbeka which stopped the Lions winning, were able somehow to send the League One side through.
Stevenage suffered a blow ahead of the match. With only four fit defenders at 2pm, Boro lost another in the warm-up, Luther Wildin replaced by Jordan Roberts and causing a drastic late reshuffle.
And Guiseley almost took full advantage after six minutes, a header from Will Longbottom going into the corner of the net but ruled out immediately for a push.
Stevenage did grow into the match in the half but showed little to worry visiting keeper Joe Cracknell.
However, when Jamie Reid scored after 53 minutes, turning in a Dan Kemp cross, they looked to have eased through.
But Longbottom equalised with seven minutes to go and as the game was sent into extra time.
And for a while they dreamed, only to have those dreams cruelly snatched away on penalties.