Bradford Park Avenue’s promotion prospects took a double hit in midweek as they banked just one point from a possible six.
Back-to-back fixtures against Oxford City resulted in a home defeat followed by an away draw, leaving Avenue in seventh place on 61 points in Blue Square Bet North.
Calculators are at the ready as any of six clubs chasing promotion can still claim the three remaining play-off places.
The only two issues settled so far are Chester FC as champions and Guiseley as one of the four clubs competing in the end-of-season extras.
Avenue have only a faint hope of joining their neighbours but a victory over struggling Droylsden at Horsfall Stadium on Saturday would be a timely boost.
Bradford boss John Deacey is pleased with the effort and performances lately and praised his players for going on a run that has seen them lose just once in their last 11 league games.
After losing his club captain James Knowles to neighbours and rivals FC Halifax Town just before the transfer deadline, Deacey pulled out another masterstroke.
At the very last minute, he signed Tim Ryan and the veteran defender has been outstanding since joining Avenue.
But despite good displays and an impressive run of results, a defeat for Avenue this weekend could sound the death knell for their already slim chances of promotion.
Saturday's opponents the Bloods are second from bottom and have won just five of their 37 league games this term, so a home win that would keep the season alive is a distinct possibility.
Farsley are determined to put in a strong finish as their Evo-Stik Division One North campaign comes down to the last few games, and they could send out a message when they host champions-elect Skelmersdale United.
Neil Parsley’s men have disappointed this term and are mid-table but they have played a number of the promotion-chasing clubs in their run-in and have caused them problems.
They will still be smarting from a 3-2 defeat at second-placed Trafford last time out as they felt aggrieved to end the game with ten men.
The contentious dismissal of keeper Ben Higginson for handball outside the area, came just before Trafford’s penultimate-minute winner.
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