WITH Guiseley's form warming up, manager Mark Bower has warned that competition for places is hotting up.

The Lions, who are in the middle of a spell of five matches in 15 days, have bounced back from a league draw and a defeat by beating Lowestoft Town 2-0 at home last Saturday and winning 2-1 at Gainsborough Trinity on Tuesday.

But ahead of a long trip to third-from-bottom Gloucester City this weekend and a home match against fourth-placed Solihull Moors on Tuesday, the Lions boss has stated: "Players must battle to keep their shirts."

Guiseley, who are up to third in Vanarama Conference North, have a happy knack at the moment of a potent attack and a solid defence.

But Bower, who has Oli Johnson firing again up front and new boy Shane Killock forming a resolute central defensive partnership with Danny Ellis, stressed: "There are no easy matches in this division."

Injuries to Danny Hall and Ellis, as well as a chest infection suffered recently by fellow centre back Ben Parker, have stretched Guiseley's defensive resources, leading to a loan move for Killock from Harrogate Town.

The 25-year-old former Hyde, Telford and Huddersfield Town defender said: "Harrogate manager Sam Weaver pulled me aside last Thursday and said Guiseley are interested.

"It was a no-brainer as I haven't been playing as much as I would like and Guiseley are a good club.

"I jumped at the chance, and I am just focussing on playing well and keeping clean sheets.

"The loan move might be extended after January but that is something for further down the line."

Bower was delighted with the victory over Lowestoft, saying: "They started off at a high tempo and it was important that we didn't concede during that spell because we then started creating chances for fun.

"Then at Trinity, we had to show our resilience in the second half and defended really well."