Guiseley will be hoping Sunday’s game at Boston United will not be the last of their marathon season.

The Lions take on the Pilgrims in the return leg of the Blue Square Bet North semi-final and have a narrow lead, Steve Kittrick’s men having overcome selection problems to win Tuesday’s home leg 1-0.

Kittrick now has a bigger pool to pick from but feels he will need the best from his squad as they head into a daunting challenge.

Boston will no doubt be respectful of their visitors but will be convinced they can overturn a one-goal deficit to reach the final.

Kittrick said: “I was a bit relieved at the end of the first leg because these play-off games are more intense than league or even cup games and anything can happen. To come out of it with a win was a fantastic effort.

“Warren Peyton came back in and scored a fantastic goal – what a way to announce your return. He showed a superb attitude and his fitness was good, so he will definitely be in the reckoning for the second leg.”

Guiseley are travelling down tomorrow to get the best preparation for the game. They will have top scorer James Walshaw and midfielder Danny Boshell back after both missed the first leg through illness.

“We decided to go down on Saturday and stop overnight, more for mental preparation than anything else really,” said Kittrick.

“The hotel has a gym, so there will be some fitness work and loosening up, and it also has a snooker room, so there will be some relaxation and bonding before and after the team meal.

“We will give the lads a light fitness session on Saturday before having brunch, a meeting and then going, hopefully, to finish the job. That won’t be easy but there is a huge incentive and the lads won’t need any motivating.

“There is likely to be a crowd of around 3,000 there and it will be a hostile atmosphere and volatile out on the pitch. We have to keep our nerve and hope we hear our fans.

“The supporters’ club have arranged travel and there should be a couple of hundred of our lads there and that will be a real bonus.”

Kittrick had to draft in striker Joe O’Neill and Peyton following injury but Liam Needham was still not ready to make his comeback. Needham is again unlikely to feature in Sunday’s squad, while O’Neill only lasted until half-time on Tuesday.

“It has been a long, hard campaign and both clubs have had their injuries but let’s hope for a real contest at Boston,” said Kittrick.

“Warren was immense and I have nothing but admiration for Joe, who put himself on the line and took one for the team. It could cost him a place today and, should we get there, in the final.”