Bradford Park Avenue are still looking for their first win at Horsfall Stadium this term as they go into tomorrow’s home game against AFC Telford United.

Telford are another big name in the Skrill North and are one of the promotion favourites but they currently lie in ninth place.

Avenue boss John Deacey arranged a friendly in midweek at home to Beeston for those players on the road to recovery.

The manager felt there would be more benefit in putting his side through a match situation rather than another training session.

Avenue’s season got a shot in the arm when they secured their first win at the sixth time of asking last weekend.

They battled hard to earn a 2-1 win at Worcester City with Paul Walker and Steve Mallory on target.

Deacey said: “I hope that result has given the squad the boost it needed after a difficult start. It was the first win but it won’t be the last because there is a lot of the season still ahead of us.

“Telford will be another big test – another big game – but we are in a very strong division at a high level so every game is a big game.

“We are getting where we want to be in terms of form and availability. It was a very testing start but Martin Drury and Jordan (Deacey) are on the verge of a comeback and Nathan (Hotte, club captain) is just getting back into it after missing the first four games through suspension.”

Mallory has been a revelation in the two games since his signing from Farsley.

Brought in by Deacey to strengthen the defence, Mallory has netted two late headers to earn Avenue four points in two league games.

Deacey has also signed Scott Maxfield, who is an experienced defender. He made his debut in last Saturday’s win. He began his career at Doncaster Rovers but has played in the Conference Premier with Barrow and was player-coach then assistant manager at Buxton.

Like Avenue, Telford have found the net just nine times this season, however Deacey’s men have conceded more than twice as many than their visitors.