Guiseley 2, North Ferriby United 0

Guiseley gave themselves a huge boost ahead of their Conference North play-off second leg on Saturday by building up a two-goal advantage over North Ferriby.

Mark Bower’s men made a bright opening in the home fixture with an early chance for Oli Johnson but the visiting keeper was alert to the danger.

Johnson then sent in a cross that Adam Boyes headed just over, while Boyes soon went through again but shot narrowly wide.

Ferriby rallied with a good spell of pressure but there was a lack of cutting edge and they paid the price for spurned chances.

The Lions pounced when Johnson and Boyes combined for the latter player to slot in the only goal of the first half in the 37th minute.

Home keeper Steve Dickinson made a good save to preserve the lead going into the break and another opening for the visitors was fired wide.

Guiseley’s second goal came minutes into the second half as Johnson netted following a breakaway.

Lions skipper Andy Holdsworth had been handed a yellow card for a foul and Dickinson made a good save from the resulting free-kick before Guiseley launched their counter-attack.

Bower’s side may have a lead to take to Ferriby at the weekend but both clubs are still in it – as are Hednesford Town and Lee Sinnott’s Altrincham following their 2-2 draw in the other play-off semi-final.

Altrincham had to come from a goal down to level the tie but will have home advantage on Saturday.

* FC Halifax Town earned a slim advantage to take into their second leg in the Conference Premier play-offs.

The Shaymen were 1-0 winners in the home leg against Cambridge United, who finished runners-up in the top tier, thanks to Lee Gregory tucking away an 82nd-minute penalty.