MARK Bower has hailed this weekend’s opponents Dover Athletic as the “blueprint” for part-time National League teams such as Guiseley to follow.

The Lions will head to the south coast for the second time this season as they bid to progress in the FA Trophy.

They will do so buoyed by the news that York City striker Emile Sinclair has joined on a one-month loan deal.

The pacey frontman has made 26 appearances for the Minstermen since signing for the League Two club 12 months ago, but he has not featured since November.

The 28-year-old started his career at Nottingham Forest, and had spells with eight clubs before joining York.

Dover were promoted from the Conference South in May 2014 and, having consolidated their position in the top tier of non-league football last term, they are riding high in the National League this term.

Bower, whose side lost 1-0 to Lincoln last week and are now facing their seventh successive away game, said: “We will look to go there, be solid and look to create chances as we did last week.

“I think Dover are a really top side and a blueprint for a club like us to try and match and emulate as a part-time team.

“They have done really well this season and I’m looking forward to us going and testing ourselves against them.

“We got a decent point down there earlier in the season and this gives us a break from the league as well and the pressures of trying to stay away from the bottom four.

“It will be a nice little break for the lads, so we’ll go down there and do as best we can.”

The match against Dover means the scheduled home game against Tranmere Rovers has been moved to March 8.

In Bower’s view, the “ridiculous” decision to put the Tranmere game on the weekend of the third-round matches in the FA Trophy has the potential to damage the Lions and is exceptionally demanding of fans.

Guiseley have not played at Nethermoor since beating Burscough in the FA Trophy on December 15.

Bower said: “I’ve said before I think it’s ridiculous that we are away for two weeks before and two weeks after the FA Trophy ties.

“It doesn’t help us as players, as a club or our supporters.

“In terms of money coming through the turnstiles, it has left us in a very difficult position.

“We want to go as far as we can in the Trophy and have probably got the hardest draw we could have got.

“But we will go down to Dover in good spirits.

“In open play we are defending well and haven’t conceded a goal in open play in the last three games.

“We can still loan players up until mid-March and we’re always looking to strengthen, but we have lads coming back from injury and the squad isn’t in bad shape.”

Bower was frustrated by last week’s 1-0 loss to Lincoln, saying: “It was a game that completely sums up our season so far, especially away from home.

“We certainly had enough chances to get at least a point out of it.

“But it was great to get Rob Atkinson back on the pitch and he will be a big boost for us going forward in the last two or three months of the season.”