Mark Bower may have been at the helm during Guiseley’s run from third from bottom into the Skrill Conference North play-offs.

However, the 34-year-old, who is much more a manager than a player these days, is quick to pay tribute not only to his players, but also to the other two members of his gang of three.

The former Bradford City defender said: “Assistant player-manager Danny Boshell has a different set of contacts to mine, and together we have been able to bring players in.

“Also Martin Sgtingfellow is not just our physio. He is also a UEFA-B licence holder and so can also take training.”

Guiseley may have gone on an impressive run of 21 victories and six draws in 31 matches that has propelled them from being in danger of dropping back into the Evo-Stik Premier Division, but success wasn’t an instant thing when the Bantams’ favourite took over.

Far from it. When Bower replaced Steve Kittrick six matches in, the Lions had won two, drawn two and lost two and scored six goals and conceded nine.

Five games later, Guiseley’s record was played 11, won two, drawn three, lost six, goals for nine, goals conceded 18, points nine.

“The first thing we addresssed is not conceding goals,” said Bower. “We knew we had a good squad and we brought in one or two players and then we started scoring goals.”

Each one of those 69 goals since the Lions were 20th has been worth a point (69 goals, 69 points up to last Saturday) but Bower has been grateful that they have been shared around.

“It isn’t like we have a 40-goal player who if he gets injured we don’t know where the next goal is coming from,” said Bower.

“AJ (Alex Johnson) has 16, Adam Boyes 14, Gavin Rothery 14 (including eight penalties), Wayne Brooksby ten, Jake Lawlor seven, and even our centre halfs Danny Ellis (seven) and Danny Hall (four) have been chipping in.”

North Ferriby are bidding for a second straight promotion but maybe the fact that Guiseley have made a late run on the rails could make a difference.

Guiseley won last night's first leg 2-0 at home, with the second leg at North Ferriby on Saturday.