Lions’ skipper Mark Bower has said he is thoroughly enjoying captaining the Lions after the departure of Simon Ainge.

Bower, who notched both goals on Saturday, has had no problems filling the boots of currently on-loan Ainge, and he told Tom Feaheny after Saturday’s game that he felt his side deserved the win and that he was feeling proud to lead the Lions out.

After his goals helped Guiseley move up to second in the Blue Square Bet North, the former Bradford City skipper said: “With the number of chances we had and then with it going 1-1, you just thought it wasn’t going to be our day but Rhys has put a great ball in and all I’ve had to do is get my head on it and there was no way back for them from there.”

Speaking about the captaincy, he explained: “I’m really pleased and honoured to do it. Aingey’s served the club really well over the past couple of years but he’s moved on to Luton and the chance to go full-time and I think Kitty’s just passed it on to the oldest one really.

“I’m really proud to lead the lads out and hopefully I can lead by example too a little bit, with my experience, although we have a lot of that and a lot of leaders through the team anyway.

“It doesn’t really take too much on the pitch as we’ve got plenty of vocal players out there, so I’m just trying to help out any of the lads if they need it.”

A trip to Altrincham is next up for Guiseley before they entertain Barrow in the FA Cup, and although Bower said the league fixture needs the squad’s full attention, he admitted he fancied his chances against the Blue Square Bet Premier side.

“As players, you get assessed on your performance over a whole season so to finish as high as possible in the league is what we’re aiming for. A cup run would obviously be very nice; I think everyone would like to go to a big club in the next round or further.

“The finances that come with that would obviously be beneficial to the club long-term, with the Academy and everything that’s going on there, but ultimately I think everyone wants to get into that Conference Premier.”

Speaking about the Barrow tie itself, he said: “We’re looking forward to it, they’re bringing a few fans so there should be a good atmosphere. We’ll go in as underdogs but we fancy our chances, especially against a team who will come out and play against us.

“We’ve had quite a few teams down here who sit back behind the ball and just let us come on to them, which can get a bit frustrating at times, so hopefully it’ll be a good game where both teams have a good go at each other.

“We’ve got enough quality to spring a little shock and win.”