AFC Fylde 0 Guiseley 0

GUISELEY kept their unbeaten start intact but lost their 100 per cent record in a dour struggle against Vanarama Conference North newcomers AFC Fylde.

The point gained was enough to see the Lions remain as joint-leaders but they lost outright top spot to North Ferriby United on goal difference.

They will be going all out to regain that position at Nethermoor today when they take on Gainsborough Trinity.

Today's opponents also had to settle for a point from a goalless draw on Saturday as they too played an unknown quantity in Lowestoft Town.

Trinity are a lowly 17th in the early table but Mark Bower is expecting a tough game.

The Lions boss said: "Gainsborough are always a difficult side to play against as they are big, strong and well organised with quality in midfield.

"I remember having a difficult game against them at our place towards the end of last season.

"But we have patched the lads up over the weekend and we will asses things this morning before finalising our team and then go again.

"If we do get the win, then four points over the Bank Holiday is a good return."

Guiseley will have to bare their teeth more than they did at Fylde if they are to pick up another maximum. Once again they defended well but toiled when trying to come forward and create.

Fylde had a couple of good opportunities in the first half but former Guiseley player Michael Potts was denied by a good save from Steve Drench and Danny Rowe put a header wide.

Guiseley's final ball was lacking quality and the few that did get into the danger zone failed to pick anyone out.

Bower tried to freshen things up and took Danny Forrest off at half-time, replacing him with Ryan Hall. The strategy was to get Oli Johnson further up the pitch to help the isolated Adam Boyes.

It was the home side who continued to pose the only threat though, mainly through Rowe, but the Guiseley defence stood firm and Drench had just one more save of note make.

Bower said: "The longer the game went on I would gladly have taken a point, although obviously we went there to win the game.

"Both teams were well organised and kept the ball well but I guess it was a pretty poor spectacle for the neutrals.

"But on the whole, four clean sheets and ten points fromour four games is a good place to be."