No coasting allowed warns Guiseley boss Bower

The Lions’ winless streak stretched to five league matches after a disappointing 2-0 weekend reverse at Bromley and Bower is calling for a reaction this evening against the third-placed Mariners.

Bower said: “We need to really improve if we have any chance.

“Grimsby are the best side in the league and best equipped to go up. So it will be tough, but on the last few Tuesday nights against Tranmere and Forest Green, the lads have stepped up and put in some good performances without getting what they have deserved.

“We have got to do that at least if we are going to stand any chance as they (Grimsby) are a top side.

“It will be a big crowd and a decent atmosphere. The lads must thrive on it and enjoy it.”

Guiseley, in 18th spot, remain five points above the drop zone, but Bower is anxious some daylight is put between themselves and the bottom four soon as they chase a first home league win since the end of November – with their epic run without a Nethermoor league fixture in the winter putting an exaggerated slant on proceedings.

Bower, likely to make one or two changes, with Will Hatfield (shoulder) struggling, added: “We have not been able to just get that win after the absence away from home.

“We have had some decent performances, but just not managed to sneak a win.

“We have been doing a lot of things right, but obviously doing one or two things better will give us more of a chance and a couple of wins at this stage of the season will make the difference for us.

“We want to get to 50 points as soon as possible, which should be enough. But as far as we are concerned, we are concentrating on getting three points on Saturday and Tuesday and take it from there.

“You always see teams at the bottom who look dead and buried and they put two or three wins together and it makes a massive difference to a situation. Hopefully, we can be that team who manages to pull away from it because we want to get that gap we have had for a long time that bit bigger.”