Bradford Park Avenue will have two new forwards in their squad for tomorrow’s home game against Matlock Town after signing Curtis Bernard just in time.

Bernard is returning for a second spell at Horsfall, having previously played for Farsley as well. Dempsey Smith is also on board and Avenue boss John Deacey is delighted to have increased options up front.

“We managed to get Curtis in from Scarborough Athletic on Thursday and the paperwork was done in time,” said Deacey.

“He will be involved against Matlock – and so will Dempsey, who we got from Garforth Town.

“I had to have a look at the forwards at the club because we just weren’t scoring enough goals. We have a good goals-against ratio but we weren’t putting enough of our chances away.

“Our goal difference is about 18 at the moment and clubs who win leagues are up in the 30s or just touching 40.”

Deacey was quick to point out that he was not stating Avenue would definitely win the league as he feels there are some difficult obstacles in the way. He said: “I don’t want to raise expectations too high.

“We are a developing side and there are some clubs with more financial power: Hednesford, Chorley, Chester – and just look at Northwich and the crowds they get every home game. It is a very tough league this season.

“It would be nice to win it because I’ve certainly knocked on the door (following two unsuccessful play-off campaigns) but it could be any one of seven or eight clubs. We have to make sure we are still in the mix going into the last few weeks.

“Even with the new signings, we still have a small squad of only 16 or 17 regulars. But with Curtis and Dempsey, we are getting stronger in the area that has caused us most concern.”

Adnan Ahmed will not be available tomorrow as he is not due back from his spell with the Pakistan squad until later this week, while international team-mate Amjad Iqbal remains a big loss to Avenue with his broken leg.

Deacey said: “Amjad will be at this weekend’s game, which I’m glad about because we want to keep him close to us. He is still very down and me and the lads have been trying to lift his spirits.

“He could be back before the end of the season, sometime in April. If he is and we are pushing for promotion, that would be a massive boost to us.”