It is the start of what could be a season-defining eight days for Guiseley’s promotion challenge when they host Histon at Nethermoor on Saturday.

The Lions had enough games in hand to overhaul Blue Square Bet North Division leaders Hyde FC a few weeks ago but an inconsistent run has cost them. Steve Kittrick’s men are still well placed in third but the margin for error has gone.

After Saturday’s visit of lower mid-table Histon, Guiseley host struggling Harrogate Town on Tuesday before travelling to Hyde the following Saturday.

Maximum points from those games could reignite the Lions’ tilt for the title and the one automatic promotion place.

And Tuesday’s 3-1 win over Solihull Moors has hopefully laid the platform for a good run of form.

FC Halifax Town are vying with Guiseley and four other clubs for the play-off berths should Hyde go on to land the championship.

The Shaymen lost 1-0 at home in midweek, which saw them swap places with Guiseley, who have played two games fewer than the rest of the top five.

As Kittrick’s troops go into the Histon game looking to breach the 60-point watershed, spokesman Stuart Allen said: “It is getting tight and our recent points haul has not helped us but the point away at (second placed) Nuneaton could yet prove to be a very good one.

“Numbers-wise we are not too bad. Mark Bower is still injured and Gavin Rothery is possibly out for the season but otherwise it is just knocks and strains.

“Steve has had to wait until the morning of the game to name his starting line-ups lately and Danny Forrest was injured in the warm-up at Nuneaton, so the teamsheet had to be changed.

“But, fingers crossed, this week everyone should be clear who is in the team and who is on the bench and we hope that continues because we need to find consistency.”