BASEMENT boys Hyde might seem like ideal Nethermoor opponents after Guiseley’s defensive disaster at Boston United last Saturday.

But Lions manager Mark Bower knows that attitude and application will be all important as his team bid to improve their promotion chances from Vanarama Conference North on Saturday.

“That was probably our worst defensive display since I took over as manager,” said the 35-year-old former Bradford City centre half, about his side’s 5-1 away defeat.

“Boston are a good side but we just gift-wrapped their goals – and not just one of the goals but four or five, and it wasn’t as if we didn’t have chances to score more than one ourselves.

“However, we have been positive in training and aim to bounce straight back.

“We know that Hyde are bottom, and people look at the table and just expect us to beat them.

“But life’s not like that. They are capable of scoring goals, drew 4-4 at home with leaders Barrow earlier this month and have beaten North Ferriby United, drawn at Colwyn Bay and Chorley and narrowly lost at home to Chorley.”

Leaders AFC and Barrow are strong favourites for the top two places, and while Guiseley should be able to overtake third-placed Tamworth, who they trail by six points with three games in hand, sixth-placed Chorley, who have played two games less than the Lions, are increasingly coming into the picture.

But, with Guiseley having 17 games left, Bower knows people can get too hung up on statistics. He said: “We don’t want to be looking at the table. We just need to concentrate on our own performances.”

With Ben Parker almost certain to be missing this weekend after an ankle injury forced him off at Boston, and Oli Johnson likely to give his hamstrings time to settle down after a consistent run of matches, it is good news for Guiseley that striker Adam Boyes is available again after suspension.