Second-placed Guiseley will be well prepared for their trip to face Corby Town on Saturday in Blue Square Bet North - if the fixture escapes the countrywide big freeze.

Lions’ boss Steve Kittrick said: “Is it going to be on? People keep telling me it is going to be minus seven in and around that area, so it looks doubtful.

"But you can’t sit back and wait for a pitch inspection and then a phone call on the day of the game.”

The last thing Guiseley need is an impromptu mid-season winter break because they have built up a head of steam and are in top form.

They have had to be to still be in with a chance of catching leaders Chester FC.

The gap between the two clubs narrowed by two points to 13 after Chester were held to a goalless draw at Bradford Park Avenue on the first Saturday of the month.

However, the Lions have three games in hand, so should they take maximums from those the difference would be just four points.

Kittrick, whose side have won their last six league games, added: “If we can keep the difference down to four, five, even six points going into the last month, we will have a chance because from then on it will be down to who holds their nerve better.

“I will back my players and they will have learned from last season when we were in a similar position.

“It has been a difficult week regarding preparation for the Corby game but we have done it properly because we are not arrogant. We know that nothing is a given - every win, every point has to be hard earned.

“We might have beaten Corby up at our place a couple of weeks ago but that was a tough game just like all the others.”

Guiseley finished runners-up least season but suffered defeat in the play-offs.

They find themselves in second again at the moment but will not take 14th-placed Corby lightly.