Two goals from Adam Boyes and one from Michael Potts saw Guiseley into the play-offs for the fourth successive season and completed a remarkable turnaround by rookie boss Mark Bower, who took over the reins in mid-September with the Lions third from bottom.
Since then, the Lions have lost just nine league games to transform their fortunes and they will go into the semi-final full of confidence having already completed the league double over the Villagers.
The home side got off to a tentative start, and found themselves a goal behind after just four minutes when Billy Jones curled a sweet free kick round the wall and beyond Steven Drench from twenty yards out.
Stung into action, the home side found keeper Mike Green in outstanding form as he denied Boyes and Oli Johnson twice, but even he was helpless as Boyes latched on to Drench’s long clearance to place a precision shot beyond Green and into the far corner.
Green’s superb one-handed save again denied Johnson before the latter’s shot came back off the bar, and City spurned the chance to restore their lead when Matt Groves took advantage of Danny Ellis’ hesitancy only to see Drench pull off a fantastic stop at his near post.
It was a miss the visitors lived to regret when Green parried Brooksby’s shot and Boyes nipped in to give the home side a half-time lead.
Boyes and Ben Parker both went close on the restart, and after Boyes was withdrawn, Green again kept his side in the game with two stops from substitute Kevin Holsgrove.
However, the home side’s persistence put the game beyond City’s reach with ten minutes remaining as substitute Michael Potts latched on to a through ball and kept his head before rounding Green to stroke the ball into the empty net and ensure the Lions’ play-off place.
Entertainment value: ****
Star Man; Adam Boyes (Guiseley)
Teams: Guiseley: Drench; Holdsworth (Capt), Parker; Hall, Ellis, Lawlor; Brooksby, Boshell, Boyes (Holsgrove, 58), O Johnson (Potts, 70), Rothery. Subs not used: Meynell, Williams, Dickinson
Gloucester City: Green (Mike); Green (Michael), Jones; Coupe (Capt), Harris, Webb; Hogg (Giglio, 17), Groves (Williams, 65), Mann, Morford (Jarvis, 20), Gosling. Subs not used: Winters, Rose
Goals: Guiseley – Boyes 31 & 42, Potts 58; Gloucester: Jones 4
H/T 2-1
Att: 748
Referee: Mr Turner
