Second-placed Guiseley still have faint hopes of snatching the Northern Premier League Premier Division title from runaway leaders Macclesfield, after Mark Bower’s men earned a superb 4-1 win at promotion rivals Worksop Town.

The Lions’ goals came courtesy of John Lufudu, Jameel Ible, Lebrun Mbeka and Lewis Whitham, the latter scoring for the first time since returning from a horrific injury which kept him on the sidelines for 18 months.

Guiseley are 16 points behind Macclesfield, but do have two games in hand on them, while the leaders still have to visit Nethermoor in mid-April.

Saturday marked arguably their best performance of the season, given the quality in the home side’s ranks.

Guiseley came cross with a couple of good early crosses, before Liam Hughes headed over the bar for Worksop.

But the Lions took the lead after 19 minutes, when Lufudu took Ollie Brown’s neat pass into his stride, burst past the home defence, and slotted the ball home past home keeper Tommy Taylor.

Hughes then saw his header skim the crossbar, with former Guiseley marksman Aaron Martin next to go close for Worksop as he fired a shot wide.

Good defending from the Lions meant Josh Wilde’s effort was deflected effort and while Adriano Moke had a header well blocked by Luke Shiels at the other end, it was no surprise when Worksop levelled the game.

Joe Leesley scored with a beautifully placed free-kick, which beat Joe Cracknell and found the bottom corner.

Guiseley hit back right at the start of the second half though, Ible heading them back in front.

Luke Hall and Jordan Burrows both came close to finding a second equaliser for Worksop, while Guiseley missed a couple of great chances courtesy of young Bradford City loanee Harry Ibbitson.

But Mbeka’s goal, which slithered under a disappointed Taylor, gave the Lions breathing space.

Lebrun Mbeka wheels away after his goal gave Guiseley a 3-1 lead on Saturday. (Image: The Yorkshire Photographer.) But the crowning moment of the afternoon came in the final few moments.

It had been just under two years since Whitham's last Guiseley goal, and his injury 18 months ago was career-threatening, as he suffered severe knee ligament damage.

But Bower has reintegrated him into the side slowly and carefully since his return to action in November.

He came on on Saturday with 20 minutes to go, replacing Ibbitson, and he saw off the hosts in the final few moments with a sweet curling effort into the net.

Guiseley return to action on Tuesday night, when they visit mid-table Morpeth Town.