GUISELEY’S players have been challenged to maintain the standards they have set in the past two games as they continue their fight for National League survival.

After taking four points from their 1-1 draw with Aldershot and 2-0 away win at Chester, the Lions now face two more crucial games in three days.

Saturday’s difficult away match at in-form Tranmere Rovers is followed by Monday’s return clash with Chester at Nethermoor.

The Lions are now 21st in the table but are still eight points from safety and need to continue to bank points.

Reflecting on the Chester win, Cox said: “I’m smiling, the players are smiling and the spectators who came out and backed us in numbers are smiling.

“We have set a level, we have now got to be consistent and put more consistent results on the table and go and attack the league.”

The arrival of loan pair Adam Crookes and James Roberts has corresponded with a change of system.

Crookes has impressed as one of three centre backs which has enabled Cox to deploy Connor Brown and Callum McFadzean as wing backs.

Roberts has operated just behind the main target man to utilise his pace and eye for goal.

Cox said: “The change of formation has worked well.

“The number of injuries we had consistently through the season made it difficult to have a settled pattern.

“We have changed the system but it is all about the players. The players have got a focus now that the group is a little smaller

“Getting good players back like Purver and McFadzean has added a bit of strength to the squad and created competition for places.

“I really do think we should have got more from the last three games. I felt we had enough in the tank to beat Aldershot and we were excellent in the FA Trophy at Gateshead.

“Our supports not had much to cheer for the last two or three years.

“I popped in the bar on Saturday and spoke to some of them and they back what we are doing. We want to give them something to smile about.

“I want us to have a belief in the camp that we can win. If we can collectively believe we can win games.

“We have two games in three days and we may have to utilise the squad because of the demands, but that is something all clubs have to cope with.”