Avenue take a break from UniBond Premier Division action tomorrow when they take on Gateshead in an FA Trophy first-round qualifier at Horsfall Stadium.

Gateshead are struggling at the foot of the Premier Division table so there is an opportunity for Avenue to embark on a Trophy run, having been knocked out of the FA Cup by Farsley Celtic three weeks ago.

Avenue chairman John Dean is urging stay-away fans to turn up and to see what they are missing.

"The team are on fire at the moment. They have scored 25 goals already - nearly as many as last season - and young Tom Greaves has got five goals in three matches," he said.

Avenue moved into eighth spot in the table with their 3-0 midweek victory over Guiseley at Nethermoor.

"It was good to see so many Bradford faces at Guiseley - but they should be coming to see the side. The entertainment value is superb," said Dean.

"Tomorrow is a great opportunity for missing fans to have a look at the side which is doing so well.

"We take the FA Trophy very seriously. It was disappointing to go out of the FA Cup at Farsley. We need revenue so this is a

competition we have to do well in. If we

can progress and get matches against Conference League sides, the gates go up and the revenue will come in.

"And we have done very well at home this season - we are unbeaten.

"During this marvellous run - four wins in five games - we have always looked like scoring when going forward.

"Now we need to get the fans down to Horsfall so they can get right behind the players.

"The team is good to watch and those fans who do not go to these matches are missing out on some very good entertainment."

The FA Trophy was introduced by the FA in 1969 as a knock-out competition for

non-league clubs with the incentive of an appearance at Wembley for the finalists.