National League: 20th – P46 W13 D12 L21 F50 A67 GD-17 Pts51

GUISELEY'S second season at the top table of English non-league football was another tough one for the Lions, but ultimately successful as they retained their Vanarama National League status.

Once again it was squeaky-bum time at Nethermoor on the last day of the campaign but skipper Danny Lowe’s injury-time equaliser against Solihull Moors was just enough to keep them up.

A tough start cost Lions manager Mark Bower his job as he was fired on Sunday, August 21, just five games into the season.

Four defeats by the odd goal and a 2-0 home loss to Dagenham & Redbridge left the board twitchy, and Bower and assistant player manager Danny Boshell paid the price.

Two more defeats followed before the club picked up its their point from a goalless home draw against a Braintree Town side that eventually took the drop.

There were three more defeats in the next five games before the Lions tasted victory – a 6-1 home win over York City, another club who went on to be relegated.

Centre back Danny Lockwood had been placed in caretaker charge following Bower’s departure and was later handed the reins on a full-time basis.

The vastly experienced Dave Penny came in as Lockwood’s mentor and No 2.

League form remained patchy and Guiseley were unfortunate in the FA Cup as they were drawn at rivals Lincoln City.

The Imps were held to a goalless draw at Sincil Bank but won the replay at Nethermoor 2-1 and their journey went on.

Lincoln marched through to the quarter-finals but came to grief against Arsenal at The Emirates Stadium, that cup exit was sweetened as they went on win the National League and promotion to the Sky Bet League Two.

There was to be no money-spinning run in the FA Trophy either for the Lions.

They won 1-0 away at Chorley in the first round but suffered a confidence-draining 6-1 defeat at Vanarama National North side Nuneaton Town in the second round on January 14.

By then Lockwood’s side were already out of the West Riding County Cup.

After winning through their first two ties on penalties, they lost 4-2 at eventual winners Farsley Celtic in the quarter-finals.

That left the focus on league survival, and a decent run throughout February and March lifted spirits.

A 1-0 win at second-from-bottom Southport on April Fool's Day left Guiseley six points clear of the drop zone.

They appeared to be all but safe before three defeats on the spin – at home to promotion-chasing Forest Green Rovers and Tranmere Rovers and at Braintree.

Ending the season with 1-1 draws – at Bromley before the final day at home against Solihull – did nothing for the blood pressure but the two points were just enough.