Mark Bower’s first week in football management proved to be very difficult, and one in which the only luck he had was bad.

The former Bantams skipper will be in the dugout at Nethermoor again on Saturday, facing his biggest test yet.

Bower’s tenure began with a tough game at Boston United, and then his side hosted local rivals Bradford Park Avenue in midweek, and his third game in charge in Skrill North is against leaders Hednesford Town.

Guiseley are still looking for their first point since Bower took over from Steve Kittrick, and also their first goal.

The Lions were beaten 3-0 at Boston and lost 2-0 at home to Avenue on Tuesday.

Bower, who is looking to land the manager’s job on a permanent basis, has used his contacts in the game as he attempts to turn Guiseley’s poor start around.

He does not take the credit for signing Matt Clarke as Kittrick was already in discussions with the former Bradford City centre back before he was sacked.

But the interim boss did go back to former club Halifax Town to get young forward Alex Johnson on loan and he has brought former Lions keeper Jon Worsnop back to the club.

Clarke was due to make his debut against Avenue but was withdrawn just before kick-off. That left Bower with a problem at centre back - he had started himself at Boston but decided to oversee Tuesday’s game from the dug out.

Not only did he lose Clarke but last season’s player of the year Danny Ellis had to be substituted early in the game.

Jameel Ible was then sent off as he conceded a penalty so three centre backs were out of the picture while Bower was a frustrated onlooker as he had not named himself in the squad.

Despite the shocking run of misfortune, Guiseley played well, with even the Avenue boss (John Deacey) saying his side were second best and should have been beaten.

The improvement from the Boston game will have boosted confidence at Nethermoor but it remains to be seen if it is enough for them to topple Saturday's visitors.

Hednesford cannot rest on their laurels. The Midlands outfit are just one point clear of Brackley Town and Solihull Moors, so need to win to be sure of holding onto top spot.