GUISELEY'S decision to sack manager Adam Lockwood leaves supporters wondering who will take the reins at Nethermoor.

Lockwood and his predecessor Mark Bower were both promoted from within after spells in caretaker charge, but it seems unlikely that the Lions will take that course of action again.

With the club's board anxious to avoid another battle to avoid relegation from the National League it is likely they will look for an experienced figure to lift the team after a poor start to the season which has seen them pick up just five points from seven games.

The Lions have not scored a goal or picked up a point on their travels and have failed to score in five of their seven games. They also face another tough test at Leyton Orient.

If they are looking for somebody with good knowledge of the National League they may well look to a manager like Paul Cox who recently resigned at Barrow.

Cox has also had spells in charge of Eastwood Town, Mansfield Town and Torquay.

The 45-year-old was in charge when Mansfield won promotion to the Football league in 2014.

He has been linked with a return to Torquay who sacked their manager Kevin Nicholson, but Guiseley might be an attractive alternative.

With the club's directors indicating their ambition to move the club forward they may even look at candidates with Football League experience.

Former Leeds United and Rotherham United manager Neil Redfearn has been a regular visitor to Nethermoor this season and could come into the frame.

There was the definite feeling when Guiseley chose to axe Lockwood and his assistant David Penney on Wednesday evening that they have a plan in place for a replacement.

Lockwood must have been aware that the writing was on the wall after Saturday's 2-0 defeat at Halifax and Monday's 1-0 home loss to Hartlepool.

Guiseley's board have never let sentiment cloud their judgement and early-season sackings have been the norm whenever they have felt the team has under-performed.

Lockwood pulled off a miraculous escape from relegation last season, but after significant investment in new players, results and poor performances sealed his fate.