THE random nature of Bradford Park Avenue's recent Vanarama Conference North fixtures is encapsulated in the busy Easter weekend as the visit of title-chasing AFC Fylde tomorrow is followed by a trip to basement outfit Hyde on Monday.

Avenue's programme was clogged up after suffering so many postponements over the worst of the winter, leaving them with a glut of games in a hectic run-in.

That has been exacerbated by all of them being alternately against promotion-chasing sides and those facing the drop.

Every club facing Avenue has had something to play for. That was highlighted in Wednesday night's 2-1 home defeat to Gainsborough Trinity, who were two places below John Deacey's side but closed the gap to just three points.

Despite the midweek loss, Avenue's results over the last two months have been so good that they have led them to virtual safety – and they can become mathematically safe over the Easter period with two victories and other results going their way.

Second-placed Fylde are pushing for a third promotion in five seasons under Dave Challinor. The former Tranmere Rovers and Bury centre back has taken the Coasters from Evo-Stik League Division One North to the brink of the Conference Premier.

Fylde were held to a goalless draw last Saturday, just as leaders Barrow were by Avenue. Challinor's men were top of the table in mid-February, a point above Barrow with a game in hand, but that situation has reversed with the Bluebirds now two points better off than their rivals, who have played one game more.

The midweek defeat was the first in eight games for Deacey's men but they stay 14th going into the Easter weekend and the Avenue boss is likely to utilise his full squad with two games in three days.

Deacey was forced into a change from the starting line-up that earned a valuable point from a goalless draw at Barrow last Saturday. Alex Pursehouse was injured in the first five minutes in Cumbria and failed to recover in time.

He was replaced by Chris Howarth, who was named in the team at Barrow but had to withdraw after the warm-up because of illness. Howarth completed the Gainsborough game so will be available this weekend.