MARK Bower has hailed Guiseley’s achievement in reaching the play-offs for five successive years as the club bid to now go all the way.

The Lions were in action last night against AFC Flyde in the first leg of their Conference North play-off semi-final before the return leg on the Lancashire coast on Saturday.

The division has become increasingly competitive in recent seasons and Bower said: “It has been a real achievement to finish in the top five again because the league has been really tight this year.

“It has been well documented that there have been some big spenders in the league, the likes of Barrow and Harrogate, which has increased the quality of players and made it very even.

“A lot of teams will have expected to finish in the top five and some good teams have missed out.

“Therefore the fact we have got in there again with a couple of games to spare, after the injuries we’ve had, we’ve got to be pleased to be in there.

“Other teams, ourselves included, have had good budgets as well and signed players who might have played at a higher level, which has made it very competitive.

“The target is get promotion to the Conference National and if we can do that then it would be a fantastic achievement in my first full season in charge.”

Rivals North Ferriby United will undergo a major squad restructure after their owners decided to reduce the club's playing budget.

Despite winning the FA Trophy at Wembley on March 29, the Villagers were put up for sale by owners Steve and Eman Forster on April 16.

Bower reflected: “It’s sad to see what has happened, especially after the success they had in the FA Trophy, and Billy Heath and Mark Carroll had built something there over the last few years.

“It’s a shame that it could all disappear in terms of the squad they have assembled. If it means dropping down a division or two, you hope the club can still be there.”

Bower has revelled in his first full season in charge at Nethermoor, a position he combines with his estate agents business in Shipley.

The former Bradford City defender added: “My own business has been going for just over five years now and we’ve built it up.

“It’s something I enjoy but football is what I’ve done since I left school and the opportunity to do both is fantastic for me.

“Football is in my blood and I’ve not really thought about anything than what I’m doing at Guiseley.”