A FIRST-half goal by player-manager Lee Ashcroft could not prevent Kendal slipping to another UniBond Premier League defeat.

On an afternoon which saw the return of popular winger Ged Smith, Town put up a much-improved display and they were unfortunate to find themselves trailing at the interval, having struck the woodwork twice.

Clearly boosted by Ashcroft's inclusion, Kendal made a bright opening as an early attack saw mdfielder Ian Kilford almost convert after a slick exchange of passes, and moments later Smith delivered a wicked cross which sailed across the Guiseley six-yard line.

However, it was the fifth-placed Yorkshire side that took the lead on 10 minutes. Rob Pell was fouled on the edge of the area and captain Richard Dunning curled the free kick beyond a rooted Rick Whiteside.

Ashcroft was proving more than a handful at the opposite end and he turned his marker only to see his low cross scrambled clear.

On 17 minutes the home side went further ahead as the Town defence again showed signs of vulnerability. The play switched from left to right, where Pell arrived totally unmarked to fire clinically past Whiteside.

In what were worrying times for Kendal, Pell was denied a third Guiseley goal as Whiteside pulled off a point-blank save.

Kendal dragged themselves back into it when Ashcroft was clever in shrugging off Danny Ellis before going on to finish in style, making it 2-1.

Kendal went on to close the half strongly with the luckless Gareth Arnison striking the crossbar twice.

Guiseley's Scott Jackson had a gilt-edged scoring opportunity at the start of the second half but lifted his effort over the crossbar.

It was late in the game before Town looked like finding an equaliser. Substitute David Foster cut in from the byeline and forced goalkeeper Steve Dickinson into a save, but as the ball squirmed from his grasp, the Guiseley defence was able to clear the danger in what proved to be the last piece of action.

HOW THEY RATED: Whiteside 7, Sparrow (capt) 5, Hill 6, Whittal-Williams 6, Swan 5 (Taylor 6, 74min), Fowler 8; Osborne 7 (Redhead 6, 76min), Kilford 7, Arnison 7, Ashcroft 7 (Foster 6, 63min), Smith 7.

HStar Man: John Fowler - getting stronger with every game.