It could be another huge weekend in the race for promotion from the Evo-Stik Premier Division as Bradford Park Avenue host mid-table Ashton United.

The Bradford side came close to getting a point from their trip to leaders Chester last weekend but slipped to fifth place after suffering a 3-2 defeat.

That was a major disappointment as they had begun the week in third following a 3-1 home win on the Monday.

It is definitely squeaky bum time for the play-off candidates.

Chester have a five-point cushion at the top and a game in hand on their nearest rivals so the title is theirs to lose but all manner of changes to the table are possible as it stands.

If Avenue were to beat Ashton they could go back to third, but only if third-placed Chorley were to draw at home to fourth-placed Hednesford Town.

John Deacey’s men would also have to win by two goals or more to leapfrog both of the clubs immediately above them.

On the other hand, Avenue could drop out of the play-off places altogether, even if they manage a draw at home to Ashton. If FC United of Manchester win their home game against Worksop, who are locked on the same points as Ashton, they would leap into the last play off spot at Avenue’s expense.

Deacey praised his players for their performance at Chester but rued the nine-minute spell late in the first half that allowed the home side to rack up a 3-0 lead.

Bradford came back with a goal from James Riley and, though Rob O’Brien had a later penalty saved, he scored from the rebound.

The manager’s conundrum on Saturday will be who gets a shirt in the starting XI after Ross Daly, Tom Greaves and O’Brien made such a difference from the bench last weekend.