Avenue's recent league form has been tremendous and five straight victories have put them right back in the frame for automatic promotion to the UniBond Premier Division.

But skipper Steve Connors insisted there is much work still to be done as Benny Phillips' squad prepared for tomorrow's visit to FC United of Manchester.

"Promotion is the biggest aim and although it will be tough against the likes of FC United and Curzon Ashton, we have the squad to do it," said Connors.

Avenue missed out in the play-offs last season and now that UniBond Division One is split into two sections, north and south, it leaves just one automatic promotion place for the champions of each division and then the lottery of the play-offs.

Connors said: "The priority for Benny and the chief executive (Bob Blackburn, who bought a controlling interest in the club and has pumped in significant funds since March) is promotion. They made that very clear when the squad was assembled.

"We had a bit of a run in the FA Cup but that was a just a bonus. We have done well just lately and five wins on the trot against the teams we have been beating has been a really good effort from everyone.

"I missed the Bamber Bridge game through suspension but I played when we beat Curzon away. That was a great result as they were six points clear but we closed the gap and went back to second.

"If we can keep scoring I don't see why we can't be challenging for the top place at the end of the season. We have four top-quality strikers at the club at the moment and they will find the net if the rest of us can keep up the service to them.

"Paul Gedman and Mike Moseley (joint leading scorers with 11 apiece) have been superb since coming together. Ben Jones has got his share of goals and Griff Jones is on the verge of his comeback."

Griff Jones played just one half of one pre-season friendly before succumbing to the injury which kept him out of the first team until Wednesday's UniBond President's Cup tie.

Connors said: "I have played alongside Griff at Prescot Cables and Witton Albion, so I know all about his quality and he will get goals in any side at any level. We want to get Griff back but it isn't just him. Mark Jones has also been out a long time since fracturing his foot.

"The squad has had more than its share of injuries; early on in pre-season we were dropping like flies, myself included. There were seven of us out for most of the pre-season build-up and any player will tell you that you need a good stint before the season starts or you are not at full pace.

"Hopefully that's all behind us now. We will get the odd injury or suspension but that happens at any club. What the manager had to put up with when this season started was unbelievable. I don't think anyone realises the full extent of the injury problems. Our physio Emma had her hands full every week."

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