Avenue's hopes of escaping relegation from the Northern Premier League took a severe bashing at Leek Town.

A 3-0 defeat dropped them into the bottom three for the first time this season - and the visit to Ashton United this evening is now a must-win game.

Another three players made their debuts at Leek, taking the season's tally of first-teamers to a record-breaking 53.

Astonishingly, Nick Buxton from Staly-bridge Celtic became Avenue's fifth different goalkeeper in the last six league games.

Also making his debut was tall centre back Paul Robinson from Hucknall, while Danny McLaughlin came off the bench in the second half to make his first appearance.

Avenue made a lively start in front of a good away following but, despite a lot of huffing and puffing, they conceded three goals for the second time in three days.

Assistant boss Clive Freeman expects another six new faces at the club quickly and said: "We need some experienced professionals here to get us out of this mess.

"But Leek had three chances and scored three goals - that's all. It looks like we've been battered but I just want to see what sort of a team we are when we go a goal up.

"We should have taken the lead early on but Dean Calcutt hit a shot with his weaker foot when maybe he should have crossed it.

"We look as though we are scrapping for things all the time. There is no lack of effort but we do need new faces here.

"We've got to change things and I would expect to see six new players here before the deadline at the end of the month."

Avenue had more of the play for the first 35 minutes but only Calcutt's effort to show for it.

Then Leek took the lead shortly before the interval when Adam Yates tapped in after Buxton could only parry out Ash Woolliscroft's shot.

That meant a quick rewrite of the half-time team-talk from manager Phil Sharpe.

But things got worse straight after the break when the scrappiest of goals by Ant Danylyk put Leek two up. Avenue claimed a foul on Brook Newton before the ball was finally stabbed home.

Young Paddy Mumbly, brought in to the centre of midfield, had a great effort tipped over but, at the other end, Buxton had to make a double save from Alan Nagington before substitute Simon Eldershaw made it 3-0, so ending the game as a contest.

Avenue were without Danny Walsh (unavailable), Paul Haworth (injured) and Steve Oleksewycz (sick).

Wayne Benn filled the right-back spot well and new central defender Robinson made a difference, especially in the first half.

But new centre forward Neil Ross never got a chance to show his goal-scoring

abilities as he did not have a sniff at goal all game.

Gateshead's surprise win at Frickley dropped Avenue into the relegation positions and, worryingly, they now have the worst goal difference record (-18) in the UniBond Premier alongside rivals Runcorn.