DANNY Cowley’s Lincoln City will be looking to reclaim top spot in the Vanarama National League when they host Guiseley on Sunday after Adam Lockwood’s side knocked them off the summit.

The Lions pulled off a huge result when they won the reverse fixture 2-1 at Nethermoor on Boxing Day.

That win was a massive boost to Guiseley’s hopes of beating the drop but they are still in the relegation zone as they head to Sincil Bank.

Following the win, Lockwood said: “At the time they were the best in the league, and I believe they will be at the end of the season – I know a good team when I see one.

“I asked my lads to test themselves and they did do. I thought our lads were great in all departments in difficult conditions.

"As good as we played though, I still think we can do more at times – sometimes we’ve played better and got nothing.”

Unsurprisingly Lockwood, his keeper Jonny Maxted and Will Hatfield all received plaudits for their parts in the win and were all included in the National League’s team of the day in some publications.

The Imps have been setting the pace in recent weeks and were unbeaten in 18 games prior to their trip to Nethermoor, which brought a record crowd for a league game.

Despite the game being all-ticket, the attendance was 2,446, with almost 1,000 of those being Lincoln supporters.

They witnessed a good game but one that was marred by two sendings off as both sides ended with ten men.

The game had been played in a good spirit and tricky conditions, given the biting cold, blustery wind, and the dismissals were both for second yellow-card offences.

Guiseley’s Michael Rankine and the Imps’ Elliott Whitehouse will both miss the return fixture.

Cowley felt his side deserved more from the game and he will have his full-time squad primed and ready as they seek to redress the balance and attempt to climb back above new leaders Tranmere Rovers.

The Imps are just one point behind the Wirral club and have a game in hand.

Cowley said: “We were disappointed to come away with nothing and I think we had the better chances in the second half but individual errors cost us at the death.

“We didn’t get to the levels we expect from ourselves. Their keeper was excellent though and you can’t knock Guiseley, so we have to reflect on that and be ready for New Year’s Day.

“It’s in how we respond to the defeat that will define us. Six out of the top seven didn’t win on Boxing Day, so it just shows what a tough league this is.”

If the Lions, who are on a five-game unbeaten league run, can repeat the feat and beat the high-flying Imps for a second time, they could be out of the drop zone by Sunday night.

Lockwood’s men are just two points behind both Southport and Woking, with just six points separating the bottom seven clubs as the relegation battle intensifies.