BRADFORD Park Avenue boss Mark Bower has proved a lot of people wrong in a short space of time but there is still an awful lot still to do as the midway point of the season arrives with today’s visit of third-placed Kidderminster Harriers.

Avenue have taken just 16 points from their first 20 games and remain in the Vanarama National League North relegation zone on goal difference.

It is a far cry from the situation when the former Bantams’ captain took over from Alex Meechan, and just days later saw them lose 4-0 to FC Halifax Town, a result which left them rock bottom and nine points from safety.

In the build-up to today’s game, Bower said: “The massive incentive for the players this weekend is that we could claw our way out of the relegation zone, and that’s good from where we were at.

“We looked dead and buried just a few weeks ago because we were bottom of the table and the other clubs were picking up points.

"It was very difficult to persuade players to come – even on short-term loan deals – because of the league situation.

“Some outsiders were saying that we were already down, that we wouldn’t win a game all season.

"I heard a lot of comments about us along those lines but things have turned around quite quickly.”

Bower realises that nothing is won or lost in early December, but he added: “We could find ourselves out of the bottom four – only three clubs are relegated – by tonight, which would be a great lift, but it won’t mean anything.

“We know that a win won’t mean that we’re safe and that a defeat won’t see us relegated with still half a season to go, but we know that we’ve got the chance to improve our league position and we know, after recent results, that we are in the fight now instead of being bottom of the table, so there is hope.”

Avenue have an incentive for the game as they attempt to entice some of Bradford City's fans get behind their cause this weekend.

They are also extending the offer to supporters of clubs from elsewhere in an effort to boost the attendance at Horsfall Stadium.

It will cost Bantams season-ticket holders, and season-ticket holders from any other club, just £5 to watch Avenue take on Kidderminster.

Following their FA Cup exit, City have no fixture this weekend.

Championship neighbours Huddersfield Town are away from home, and even Avenue’s rivals FC Halifax Town have a free Saturday.

The Shaymen should have been at home to Chorley in Vanarama National League North but they reached the second round in the FA Cup and instead travel to Eastleigh on Sunday.

The offer is also open to Harriers' season-ticket holders as they chase promotion back to the National League.