Bradford Park Avenue boss John Deacey claimed this week that he is not sure his young squad know the meaning of fear.

The manager praised his young charges for the run that has propelled the club back into the play-off zone.

They know a win today in their penultimate Evo-Stik Premier Division fixture would be enough to bag them a spot in the end-of-season extras.

Deacey said: “The boys have been taking everything in their stride and I’m not even sure they have felt any pressure so far.

“If they have, they have certainly dealt with it very well. I know I keep saying they are young lads but perhaps that’s working in our favour at the present time.

“The points have kept coming no matter who or where we play.

“I’m not saying we are world beaters but to have picked this many points up and got right back into the frame has been a very good effort from everyone.

“The average age of our team last Monday (when Avenue beat Ashton United 2-0 at Horsfall) was 22 and that’s nice to see. We had John Lamb (keeper) at 28 and James Knowles (who captained the side on the day) at 27 and the rest were kids really and it is so rewarding to see them coming through and doing so well.”

Deacey maintained it has not been hard to keep the players focused on the task in hand.

He said: “I have been trying to keep the pressure off them and on myself and Mark (assistant Hume) because we should be shouldering that.

“But winning games isn’t pressure, that comes with losing games and I know because I’ve been there.

“The players don’t seem to be affected by the odd disappointment, they just bounce back.

“I don’t even know what to say to them before today’s game because it has all been said already.

“We will just underline our belief in them and highlight their belief in each other.”

Two wins from their final two games could see them finish in the top three and secure home advantage in the play-off semi-finals.

However, Deacey accepts the first target is the one victory they need to guarantee their participation in the extras.

He will be taking nothing for granted either after last season’s heartbreak when Park Avenue lost the play-off final at home to Boston United in extra time.

With Halifax Town having swept to the title in Avenue’s division, Guiseley chasing a play-off place in the league above and Deacey’s former club Farsley winning the Northern Counties East League, the Bradford boss feels the area is strong.

He added: “It is good for the locals because all the clubs seem to be doing well at the moment.

“There is a knock-on effect with that and the top amateur and Sunday league sides will be strong in the next few seasons because there are so many good footballers in the area.”