Matlock Town are likely to put Bradford Park Avenue’s return to form under severe scrutiny on Saturday in the Evo-Stik League Premier Division.

Avenue have bounced back from their home defeat to Marine in fine style, scoring seven goals in two games to reclaim fifth place and progress in the West Riding County Cup.

Victory at the weekend would take the Horsfall Stadium side through the 40-point barrier but they will be taking nothing for granted against their visitors, who are eighth in the table.

Matlock have only lost five of their 20 starts – the same number as their hosts – but have drawn eight.

John Deacey’s men have won four of their last five league games and, though they trail the top two by eight points, they have two games in hand on them.

Deacey will be without striker Richard Marshall as he serves the last game of his three-match ban from the straight red card he received in the FA Cup first-round defeat at AFC Totton last month.

Utility player Amjad Iqbal is also out following the fracture he picked up in the away victory at Ashton United a week after their cup exit.

The rest of the squad is in good shape, with Deacey facing a dilemma over who to leave out after two very promising displays.

Martin Drury and Ross Daly were available for the 3-1 midweek cup tie win at Glasshoughton after serving one-game bans and Pakistan international Adnan Ahmed should be in contention following international duty.

But Deacey was impressed with the young side that won 4-0 at Chasetown in the league last Saturday, so may be tempted to let them loose against Matlock.

Like Avenue, Farsley are also bang in form in Division One, having racked up five league victories on the bounce.

That run has lifted them up to fourth in the table and they could climb higher on Saturday if they make it six on the trot at mid-table Salford City.