GUISELEY manager Mark Bower has called on his players to maintain the high standards they set in Tuesday night’s heart-breaking home defeat by Forest Green.

The Lions were beaten 1-0 by a late goal and finished with nothing to show from a performance Bower viewed as their “best of the season.”

As his side prepare to pick themselves up in Saturday’s National League home clash with Braintree, Bower said: “I think that is as well as we have played all season in terms of completely controlling the game, keeping the ball, creating chances and looking solid.

“The one thing we couldn’t do was stick it in the net. The challenge is now to hit those standards again, if we do that against teams in this league, not Forest Green, we should be getting good results.

“Everybody has put a marker down to say they want to keep their shirts and that is positive for Saturday.”

He was also honest enough to admit: “I will take playing like Forest Green did and winning 1-0 as well.”

Bower is pleased that the club’s injury problems are easing and giving him a few more options as they look to complete a double over a Braintree side they defeated 1-0 in Essex earlier this season.

On-loan striker Anthony Dudley and Oliver Norburn both returned against Forest Green and the manger is also optimistic that Adam Smith, who missed Tuesday’s match after picking up a knock at Altrincham where he impressed in last Saturday’s 1-1 draw, will be back in contention.

Goalkeeper Steve Drench has missed the last two games through illness and he will face a fight to regain his place.

Despite having had to warm the bench for much of the campaign, Atkinson has impressed against Altrincham and Forest Green.

Reflecting on the Forest Green game, Bower said: “Dan was terrific. He made two good saves in the first half when they hit us on the counter attack and a couple more in the second half.

“He couldn’t do much with the goal. Dan played well for us and we couldn’t ask any more from him after being chucked in at the deep end after such a long time without any games. I hope he can continue that form.”