GUISELEY’S joint-manager Russ O’Neill has been impressed by Kaine Felix’s electric form, and he has challenged the winger to keep showing that going forward.

Felix scored a brilliant equaliser from outside the box to secure a 1-1 draw at in-form Altrincham on Saturday, ensuring the Lions’ excellent away form over winter continued.

He will need to be similarly inspired if Guiseley are to take maximum points from their next two Vanarama National League North games, at home to Gloucester City and Darlington.

Asked about the 24-year-old forward, O’Neill said: “Kaine’s in really good form. We all know the qualities he has, so he just has to put that consistency together, like he has since we played Hereford.

“He’s got three goals in seven games now, which is a good return. But I know he’s capable of more and he can keep improving on those numbers.”

Felix has a couple of new teammates to help him along the way, in the shape of signings Prince Expolo and Harrison Sheppeard.

Expolo has signed from Glossop North End, while Sheppeard is on loan from Sheffield United, just like Lions stopper Marcus Dewhurst.

Dewhurst proved his worth at Altrincham by saving a penalty, and O’Neill will hope defender Sheppeard can flourish in the same way after dropping down several divisions.

Asked about the importance of players from Premier League and Championship clubs getting non-league experience, O’Neill said: “The environment in academy football is totally different (to here).

“You’re roughly there from the ages of 10 to 20, so it’s a massive part of your development to come out of that and play for clubs like us.

“It instils a winning mentality and hopefully Harrison will buy into that, like others have for us in the past, and it will improve him as a player.”

O’Neill wants to see that attitude from his whole team when they host lowly Gloucester City on Saturday.

The visitors are the first side Guiseley have played in a while who are not part of the play-off picture, but the joint-manager insists it will be no easy ride.

He said: “Again it’s a mentality thing. I said before York it would be a massive three points for us, but they’re (wins) all worth the same, just like how Kaine’s goal (for all it was special) only gets us one point.

“It will be a tough game against Gloucester. They have some experienced players and they beat us earlier in the season.

“We’ve got to make sure we keep improving on what we’ve been doing and treat the game the same as any other.”

It is a busy few days for Guiseley, as they host Darlington next Tuesday.

The north-east side are in fine form, with five wins in their last six league games. O’Neill has been impressed with their efforts in the FA Trophy too.

He said: “Darlington are in fantastic form. They had a good FA Trophy win over Solihull last midweek and were unlucky to lose to Harrogate in the second round on Saturday.

“We prefer to keep the games going, rather than being intermittent, so we’re looking forward to both.”