A midweek cup exit is not the ideal preparation for a must-win game on a return to league action but that is the scenario facing Bradford Park Avenue tomorrow.

John Deacey’s men are just outside the play-off places in the Evo-Stik Premier Division and face a visit from struggling Mickleover Sports.

There was no disgrace in Avenue’s narrow League Cup defeat at top-tier rivals North Ferriby United but the fact they ended the game with nine men could bring problems later in the campaign.

Avenue had utility man Adam Clayton sent off for a professional foul and skipper Rob O’Brien followed him minutes later for a second bookable offence. Both players will be available for Mickleover’s visit but will miss later matches through suspensions.

Mickleover may be fourth bottom in the table but Avenue will not be taking this game lightly as they have suffered indifferent form at home.

It may not be a direct opportunity for Avenue to take points off one of their top-six rivals, and should Bradford win it would not elevate them back into the play-off places, but it remains a crucial fixture.

They are one place below the play-off places with a four-point gap, meaning they cannot break back in this weekend no matter what, but they have games in hand on two of the five clubs above them.

They will also be aware that, even though they cannot climb the table, they can drop down it. If Avenue were to lose, as much as a draw for FC United of Manchester – who are at home to Frickley Athletic – would see the Mancunians leapfrog Avenue, although they have played two games more.

Deacey attempted to get players some game time in Wednesday’s cup tie at Ferriby because of all the recent postponements.

The boss made his three substitutions at half-time, so eight players got a full game, while six more were given at least 45 minutes.

Tom Greaves, Ross Daly and James Knowles played the first half while Matty James, Martin Drury and James Riley replaced them at the break.

In Division One North, title-chasing Curzon Ashton travel to Throstle Nest hoping to dent Farsley AFC’s own chances of promotion.

Curzon are second in the table but have games in hand while Neil Parsley’s men held onto fifth spot, the last play-off place, with a 2-0 midweek win at Ossett Town.