Guiseley boss Mark Bower sees no reason why his side cannot beat one of the division’s big boys as they prepare to host Cheltenham and Wrexham in quick succession.

The Lions face leaders Cheltenham at Nethermoor on Saturday before play-off chasing Wrexham pay a visit next Tuesday.

Bower’s side have not beaten one of the top teams since their promotion to the Vanarama National League last season.

Yet the Lions chief has taken great heart from his team’s recent battling displays as they seek to build on their 1-1 draw at high-flying Eastleigh last Saturday.

That followed a 3-3 draw at home to Chester and Bower is looking for his side to end a run of 10 games without a win in the league.

Wins for Halifax and Torquay on Tuesday have put added pressure on the Lions.

Bower said: “You look at the last few weeks and we have played Eastleigh, Tranmere, Grimsby and Forest Green – teams right at the top of the league.

“They are full-time teams with big budgets but we’ve put in some really good performances against them and got quite a few good results in terms of draws.

“We’ve just not turned over one of those full-time sides yet, so it would be the perfect time to start this weekend.

“The attacking performance we put in against Chester and the way we were strong, resolute and solid at Eastleigh gives us a lot of heart going into the last five games.”

Bower took great encouragement from the Lions’ 1-1 draw at Eastleigh, which saw them come from behind to maintain a three-point cushion above the relegation places.

The visitors conceded a calamitous goal after two minutes when Adam Lockwood passed to keeper Steven Drench, but the ball bobbled over his foot and in.

James Hurst scored from a free-kick to restore parity in the second half to keep Guiseley remain in 18th place in the table, a position they have held for the last nine matches.

Bower added: “I thought the lads showed tremendous character to play the way they did and ultimately get the draw.

“I thought we defended well, looked solid and probably in the second half, our goal aside, we had the best chances to win the game.

“I’m really pleased with the lads’ efforts, organisation and determination to keep that clean sheet.

“We defended set-pieces so much better and it’s a valuable point which probably nobody gave us a chance of getting.”