Bradford Park Avenue boss John Deacey is expecting a big reaction from his players following a poor display in a goalless draw at home to Vauxhall Motors on Monday.

Avenue are back at Horsfall Stadium on Saturday for a mid-table Conference North clash against Colwyn Bay.

The Welsh club are managed by former Chelsea and Huddersfield defender Frank Sinclair and they are currently four places higher than Avenue.

Deacey said: “Monday was the worst game of football I’ve ever seen, the crowd were ready to pay to get out.

“One of the few positives we can take from it is that we got a clean sheet and we haven’t had too many of them this year. We didn’t create a lot going forward and that was a worry but you can’t lift yourselves for every game – that’s impossible.”

The Avenue boss is facing more selection problems, with a handful of players either injured or suspended. However, even though they are down to the bare bones, he is backing his starting XI to lift the mood after Monday.

“We have five big players missing, ones that would always start when they’re available, but the lads who come in for them will respond. We let the people down on Monday and we owe it to the fans to put in a big performance.”

Striker Alex Davidson, Adam Clayton, Chib Chilaka and Nicky Boshell are all injured, while James Knowles is suspended.

Deacey said: “Chib pulled a hamstring against Vauxhall so he’s got no chance, Alex could miss the rest of the season, Adam is on the waiting list for an operation and James is serving the last of his four-game ban.

“I’ll wait on Nicky and we’ll have to keep an eye on a few of the others. We had a good training session yesterday and had a bit of fun, which lifted spirits, but we’ll have to see if there are any reactions from the players carrying niggling injuries.”

Deacey insists that his side will not allow the season to peter out but he knows they face a tough test.

“Frank Sinclair has done a brilliant job at Colwyn and he’s a smashing guy as well,” adds Deacey.

“He’s a really nice bloke, not above his station. He has played in the Premier League and in FA Cup finals but he is just as much at home on the touchline in our division as anywhere else.

“He’s doing his apprenticeship in the Conference North and people like him deserve success. He will manage higher up the leagues in time, no doubt about that.”