The withdrawal of Jack Emmett before their home match against Ashton United meant Mark Bower had to look to his centre backs to shore up the Lions already injury hit frontline.
The Guiseley manager selected versatile defender Lebrun Mbeka to play as target man, which proved effective as the Lions secured a vital three points against their play-off rivals.
However it was Jake Lawlor, playing in his regular role in the back four, who notched the only goal of the game, with Guiseley’s 1-0 win moving them back above Ashton and into third spot.
Lawlor’s first half strike was enough to end a run of five games without victory, which had put paid to their already faint hopes of pinching the title and automatic promotion off Macclesfield.
The game began as it meant to go on, with both teams tactfully keeping possession and working the other out.
Ashton striker Darius Osei’s speculative long-range effort soared over the bar but that was the only real chance of the game in the opening half-hour.
But as the game reached that point, Guiseley broke the deadlock out of nowhere.
Adriano Moke’s corner was inviting and Lawlor arrived perfectly at the back post to nudge the ball home and give the Lions an invaluable advantage.
Ten minutes later, the hosts began to try and turn the screw.
Lewis Whitham’s mazy run saw him reach the edge of the box, but the forward’s effort sailed over the crossbar.
With the game on the brink of half-time, Guiseley had another opportunity, when makeshift frontman Mbeka’s superb free kick near the penalty area grazed the crossbar.
Deep into the stoppage time of the first half, the Robins had their first major chance of the game.
An incisive ball found James Hardy, whose shot arrowed safely over Joe Cracknell’s goal.
The second half was a stuttering affair, but Ashton piled on the pressure, particularly after introducing the attacking prowess of former Lion Tom Denton with 25 minutes to go.
However, a composed Guiseley back line was able to hold out.
Another ex-Guiseley man, Donald Chimalilo, nearly came back to haunt his former club, but his powerful long range effort was thumped away by Cracknell’s gloves.
The Lions should have doubled the lead deep into added time.
A quick counter-attack saw substitute Jamie Spencer driving at the visitors’ back line and he picked out the onrushing Ollie Brown.
The defender’s finish went agonisingly wide, but the one-goal margin turned out to be enough for Guiseley.
Ollie Brown (left) somehow missed from this position at the death, but it did not matter as Guiseley claimed the three points anyway. (Image: Alex Daniel.)
It was an invaluable victory for Mark Bower’s men in their ongoing pursuit of Vanarama National League North football.
With Guiseley up to third, the Lions next travel to Matlock Town on Saturday, which will be the first encounter between the two teams this season.
If the Lions fail to win that game, and second-placed Worksop Town fail to take all three points against Mickleover, then Macclesfield will officially become champions with victory in their next match at Morpeth on Saturday, March 15.
