GUISELEY have had a decent start to life in the top tier of non-league football, and manager Mark Bower feels that was vital given the strength of opposition they face this term.

The Lions moved into England’s fifth division for the first time in their history with a play-off final victory at Chorley last May.

Very similar to neighbours Farsley Celtic when they reached the same level under Lee Sinnott, the small club from West Yorkshire are minnows in a division that is heavy with full-time outfits.

Bower said: “Three of the four sides we have played are expected to finish in the bottom half of the table, like we are, so it was important we got some points on the board.

“If these teams are the ones that are going to be in and around us, we had to take some points off them, and in doing that we’ve given ourselves a good start.

"I think we’ve competed in every game and the results mean that the lads are playing with a lot of confidence.”

Guiseley started with a game against Welling United, who only escaped the drop last season on goal difference, Nicky Law’s Alfreton Town taking the tumble instead.

That was followed by a home game against Sinnott’s current club Altrincham, who beat the Lions in the play-off final the season before last. Kidderminster Harriers were the next to visit Nethermoor before Bower’s men travelled to Barrow, who came up with Guiseley as champions of the Conference North last season.

Bower said: “Barrow are just finding their feet, Altrincham are only in their second season and Welling finished low down last year, so realistically these clubs are the ones we need to take points from.

“I think two wins and a draw from those games is not a bad return, and we should have won the game we lost at Welling.

"For me, Kidderminster was the hardest of the four because they are a very good side and are established in this league, but that was one of our wins.

“It left them with just one point from three games at the time but the point they did have was the one they took from Grimsby Town, who are one of the sides tipped to go back into the Football League, so that just shows that there will be the odd result that you can’t predict.

“There are points on offer in every game, so you just have to battle for them, and the lads look fit and sharp so I’d back them to get result every time we play."

The Lions host Aldershot Town today and Gateshead next before a trip to Chester.

Next month brings games against Torquay United, FC Halifax Town and Southport among others, and a trip to Dover Athletic.