In a quirk of fate, Guiseley host last season’s UniBond Premier Division rivals Boston United tonight in the first leg of the play-off semi-finals for a place in the Conference Premier.

It is a mark of how well both clubs have done since gaining promotion to the Blue Square Bet North Division just 12 months ago.

Guiseley won the UniBond Premier (now sponsored by Evo-Stik) and went up as champions. Boston have the play-off experience though after beating Bradford Park Avenue at Horsfall Stadium in last year’s UniBond play-off final.

With the unfortunate Eastwood Town not being allowed to take up a place in the play-offs, Guiseley went into their final league game, ironically against Eastwood, in sixth place but knowing they were guaranteed a berth in the end-of-season extras.

They drew with Eastwood and finished in fifth, Lions boss Steve Kittrick saying: “We were delighted because we wanted to prove we were good enough to get into the play-offs. We have done that by right now. Finishing fifth has removed all doubt.

“No one picked up any fresh injuries against Eastwood so we have a good squad available.

“Joe O’Neill and Liam Needham also have a chance of forcing their way back in but will need fitness tests. Warren Payton has got no chance of being involved in this or Sunday’s second leg.

“I hope Nethermoor is packed tonight because it will be a tremendous atmosphere. We are well supported but so are Boston so we need all our fans to come out and cheer us on.”

Conference North sponsors Blue Square Bet are quoting odds of 1-2 for Boston and have Guiseley as the outsiders at 4-1 to win the semi-final overall. The favourites for promotion are ACF Telford, who finished in the runners-up spot.

John Newby’s 69th-minute goal earned Colwyn Bay promotion to the Blue Square Bet North as they beat FC United of Manchester 1-0 in the Evo-Stik Premier Division play-off final.