GUISELEY’S joint-manager Marcus Bignot admitted he has been impressed with local rivals Farsley Celtic’s start to the season, but has his sights firmly set on their play-off spot.

The Lions made a fine start themselves, but have stumbled in the last couple of months, dropping down to 11th.

Saturday’s 0-0 draw at Hereford left them eight points behind Farsley, who sit seventh, and in the final play-off spot, ahead of the duo’s Vanarama National League North clash at Nethermoor tomorrow (3pm).

Bignot is pleased his side are still in the promotion mix and feels the double header with the Celts (the reverse fixture is on New Year’s Day) could be vital.

He said: “We said we wanted to be in and around the play-offs at this stage of the season and with it being the festive period, there’s lots of games and points to pick up.

“A lot of teams come up with momentum and Farsley are no different.

“Credit to them, they’ve had a great first half of the season but games come thick and fast now and with this double header coming up, it gives us a chance to claw some points back on them.”

Farsley is around six miles south of Guiseley, and this a rare chance for the two teams to face each other in competitive fixtures.

Bignot said: “That’s what’s great about non-league football, having these festive derbies.

“We’ve got to make sure we play with personality, which is something the fans appreciate.”

The travelling Guiseley fans surely would have appreciated the display on Saturday at Hereford, with the goalless draw perhaps a touch harsh on the visitors.

Bignot said: “The performance warranted a clean sheet at the very least, as we looked very solid.

“We limited Hereford to two shots on target I think, both from distance, and I was pleased with our shape off the ball.

“But we looked a threat going forward too, so we were disappointed not to get a winner.

“I’m delighted with the performance, but it should have been three points.”

Despite a packed festive schedule, Guiseley did not make any substitutions on Saturday.

Pressed on that decision, Bignot said: “If we could rotate and keep everyone fresh, then we would, but we are what we are.

“But also our defence were containing their attackers, our midfield was on top of theirs, and our front three were a threat.

“You don't want to disrupt that and it (putting players on) can be a bit of a lottery.

“We asked the question about substitutions but the boys put in such a good performance. We felt we were doing well in all three areas of the pitch.

“It (making substitutions) is something we might look at for Farsley though.”