BRADFORD Park Avenue face a second Sunday game on the trot this weekend and, with their need for points increasing, the relegation-threatened outfit will be hoping this one is more rewarding than the last.

John Deacey's men slipped to a 4-3 defeat at Leamington last week, which allowed their fellow strugglers to distance themselves from the drop zone while leaving Avenue even deeper in the mire.

Avenue are second bottom in Vanarama Conference North, from which three clubs are relegated. They are five points from safety but have played fewer games than all the clubs around them in the table.

However, having games in hand – as many as three on some of the threatened teams– can become a hindrance rather than a help. Avenue have just four months to play almost half a season's fixtures and hold on to their Conference League status – starting tomorrow at mid-table Worcester City.

Following last weekend's defeat, assistant manager Martin Drury said: "We were too weak in too many areas of the pitch.

"At times it was men v boys. I gave certain individuals jobs to do and they didn't do them.

"I hope the club give us the chance to bring in the players we want to strengthen the spine of this team. Too many players have been given too many chances.

"If players aren't willing to be brave and do both sides to a game of football, then they won't play for me. We need some winners in."

Avenue have suffered a catalogue of injuries this term but Drury and the rest of the management team will have to soldier on with the available players for now.

Paul Walker (back), skipper Nathan Hotte (torn knee ligament) and Chris Lever (knee) are all expected to return at the end of the month.

Alex Davidson (knee) and Adam Clayton (hip) are making good progress in their rehabilitation but will be out far longer, while Nathan Turner (knee) is due to go under the surgeon's knife next week and will miss the rest of the campaign.

Carl Heeley, the boss of 12th-placed Worcester, is looking to bolster his squad and is actively scouring the transfer market as his club go into the second half of the season.

Heeley has also said that his players were looking forward to playing after last weekend's home game against Guiseley was postponed.

Worcester had an eventful first half of the campaign but have picked up just one point from their last two games.