Guiseley are hoping that practice makes perfect.

Without a game since they lost 4-1 at Altrincham almost a fortnight ago, new manager Mark Bower has been working his troops hard ahead of two Skrill North matches in four days.

The Lions, who are 20th and in a relegation place, entertain ninth-placed Histon on Saturday, who haven’t beaten Guiseley in four attempts, before visiting second-placed North Ferriby United on Tuesday.

And with five successive defeats, Bower is keen to stress the importance of concentration ahead of these tests.

He said: “We have been working very hard in training and just because we are playing a side who are in mid-table, we want to translate the hard work in training into a match.”

Bower added: “There are no easy games in this division. We have been working on our fitness on our big pitch and the defenders have been getting used to playing with each other.

“We have also been working on not giving away sloppy goals and we have been working on our shooting.”

Bower also confessed: “We could have additions both on and off the pitch before the weekend.

“We want to make the loan signing of forward Alex Johnson permanent from Halifax Town and we also hope to bring in one or two players.

“Off the pitch, we also want to bring in an assistant manager. I cannot even think about making a return as a player until that happens.”

Bower has had Histon watched recently and said: “They are a young side – they haven’t got anyone who is over 22 – and a full-time side so they will be fit."

Guiseley are one of three clubs on eight points so a win could see them rocket up the table. They could go level on points with Stalybridge Celtic who are currently 12th.

The Lions beat Histon twice in last season’s encounters, beating them 2-1 at home and 4-1 away.