After vying for the Blue Square Bet North leadership since the start of December, both Guiseley and Alfreton Town lost ground during the week.

That does not make the Lions’ trip to Lincolnshire to take on fifth-placed Boston United on Saturday a minor skirmish. With almost half a season to play, only eight points separate the top five clubs.

Guiseley were leading the division last time they had a league game but last weekend’s FA Trophy diversion gave Nuneaton Town the chance to leapfrog them and former Bantams boss Nicky Law’s Alfreton.

Lions manager Steve Kittrick said: “Nuneaton have come up on the rails and overtaken us at the moment, so we have to be on our toes – not just us but all the clubs looking to be in the play-offs.

“It will be very interesting at Boston because they have been challenging all season and are capable of gaining promotion.

“They are not the easiest to play against and going there is always difficult. But we like away games because teams tend to play football against us rather than just try to shut us down.

“There is so much football left though that after Saturday we have to get set for Tuesday night at home to Hinckley United, with more important points to play for.

“It was great to progress in the Trophy and an achievement for the club to reach the last 16. But while it’s fantastic to have a cup run, we have got to keep things rolling in the league at the same time.

“We got no injuries against Stalybridge last Saturday – despite it being another horrible game against them, – so we have more or less a full squad to pick from, which is a real bonus at this stage of the season.”