FEBRUARY will be a key month in Guiseley’s struggle to avoid relegation from the Vanarama National League.

Four of their six matches are at Nethermoor starting with Saturday’s encounter with third-placed Wrexham.

The Lions desperately need to find a winning formula if they are to erase the nine-point gap between themselves and safety.

Their task isn’t going to be easy. They follow the game with Wrexham with a trip to table-topping Macclesfield.

After that come three key home games against Gateshead, Maidenhead United and AFC Fylde, before an away trip to Sutton United on February 24.

Although he was frustrated after another late goal sentenced his side to a 2-1 defeat at Dover last week, manager Paul Cox remains bullish.

“We have to dust ourselves down and go again,” he said.

“We’ve got a couple of tough games coming up but there are also ones we have highlighted as being ones where we feel we can get not just a point but maximum points.”

Cox, who bolstered his squad with the signing of goalkeeper Luke Coddington on loan from Northampton for the rest of the season, knows the clock is ticking.

“We can’t feel sorry for ourselves. We have got to go and attack the next game and go after the three points.

“We need to now pick up a consistent three points in the remaining 17 games.”

Game management continues to be the big issue for Lions.

Another late goal proved to be their undoing at Dover to continue a disappointing and costly trend.