There are no calls for manager Trevor Storton's head despite a miserable time for Bradford Park Avenue in the UniBond Premier Division this season - but many fans are wondering now whether promotion to the new Conference North is such a foregone conclusion.

"There will be a rattling of sabres among the fans because the results have not gone well," admitted commercial director Paul Grayson. "But we are all confident Trevor will get us there. It is very important we make it or it will be like being relegated."

Avenue are fourth from bottom and have won just six of their 22 league games. They have also conceded more goals than they have scored.

To win promotion to the newly-formed Conference North they have to finish in the top 13 of the UniBond Premier Division - or win a mini play-off competition.

The Conference North and South Leagues are an extra tier being created within the pyramid system. Promotion from there is to the Nationwide Conference. So if Avenue fail to make it into the new division, it will be a backwards step - three promotions away from the Football League.

Fans are not exacly flocking to Horsfall Stadium this season, despite Avenue's fine run in the FA Cup which culminated in the home defeat against Bristol City in the first-round proper. The average attendance at Horsfall for league games this season is 343. Avenue would need to double that figure just to break even.

"The FA Cup run helped and we have a new sponsor on our away shirts. We have done very well commercially this season for a club running at this level," said Grayson.

"Personally I am not at all happy about being fourth from bottom but we have had a lot of cup games and there has to be a degree of patience at the club."

On the bright side, despite losing nine league games this season, Avenue are still within six points of 13th position - with games in hand over most of the clubs above them.

Managing Director Phil Lawler believes the team will make it into the Conference North.

"There is an atmosphere of depression at the club but it can all change in the wink of an eye," he said. "There is a bit of doom and gloom around because we have lost the last two league games. The situation can quickly change - we do not want to be in a play-off situation at the end of the season.

"Obviously the results have not been satisfactory but we have confidence in Trevor Storton." Many clubs are struggling financially in the division. Frickley Athletic, who are just above Avenue, are relying on gates of less than 200 and have just slashed their manager's playing budget by 25 per cent. On average, they can afford to pay their players under £30 a week.