WITH Guiseley homing in on yet another play-off berth in Vanarama Conference North, manager Mark Bower has showed his appreciation for the Lions fans.

The Nethermoor club, who are third in the table with seven games left, took a decent following to Lowestoft Town last Saturday for what was a frustrating 0-0 draw, and Bower said: “We are really grateful for their support, and it was a shame that we couldn’t have rewarded them with a goal.

“It was no small commitment by them (a 424-mile round trip for what is a regional league) and they are a loyal bunch but it wasn’t the greatest of spectacles, thanks to the swirling wind and the bobbly pitch.

“Any pass that was any longer than five yards was bobbling, and that surface doesn’t help my team or the opposition to play good football. but it was definitely a point gained, rather than two lost, and Jack Stockdill did well on his return from his loan spell, although it wasn’t a day for a footballing midfielder.

“It takes a lot of effort by our spectators to get to places like Worcester on a Tuesday night, and we appreciate their backing.

“We have had one match at home that was postponed because of the weather, and maybe we have had it slightly worse than other areas of the country when you look at the condition of The Shay and Valley Parade, but we spent a fair bit of money on the pitch at Nethermoor last summer and it suits our playing style that it is a better-than-average pitch.”

Guiseley have no game this Saturday due to North Ferriby United’s considerable achievement in reaching Sunday’s FA Trophy final, so the Lions are not back in action until Tuesday when they visit Chorley, who are currently sixth.

Bower said: “We are training tonight and on Saturday morning, and we will assess the squad on both occasions, but Danny Hall, Gavin Rothery and Wayne Brooksby could come back into contention for Tuesday, although it is unlikely that Ben Parker will be back until the end of the season.”