THE TOUGH fixtures just keep on coming for Bradford Park Avenue in Vanarama National League North as they journey to Tamworth on Saturday.

The unbeaten Staffordshire outfit are fourth, and Avenue head there a week after taking on leaders Solihull Moors.

Just like the Lambs, the Moors are also unbeaten. However, they were held to a draw by ten men after Avenue's Billy Priestley was sent off for denying a goal-scoring opportunity ten minutes in.

Last Saturday’s draw gives Avenue hope, and means Martin Drury’s men head to the Lamb Ground unbeaten in two games after taking four points.

Earning another win will be a big ask as Tamworth have won four of their ten league games and drawn the other six.

Drury’s only long-term casualty is Adam Clayton, who had surgery and plates inserted after his eye socket and cheekbone were shattered in a challenge by an opponent in the AFC Fylde game last month.

However, the Avenue boss was forced into a late change last weekend as on-loan Guiseley defender Danny Hall, ironically the player who was drafted in as cover for Clayton, pulled up in the warm-up.

He was replaced in the starting line-up by Priestley, who was promptly dismissed, and Tom Burgin, who was due to miss out on the match-day squad, was brought on early from the bench.

Drury will have to make a decision on his defensive options but he will assess Hall’s fitness first.

The midfield and forwards have been picking themselves, and if Drury wanted to make a change there he would be hard pressed to justify it.

Last term’s top scorer Chib Chilaka has rediscovered his form and has netted five times in Avenue’s last five games.

The former Bantams striker made his 100th appearance for Avenue in the 1-1 draw against Solihull last time out and scored the goal that gave Avenue their early lead and ultimately earned them a point.

It will also be a difficult game for the Lambs but for different reasons following events in Tuesday night's game at Gainsborough Trinity.

They won 2-0 but close-season signing Lee Smith suffered a horrendous injury.

Smith, who had come on as a second-half substitute, was treated on the pitch before being whisked away.

He underwent an emergency operation to remove his spleen overnight at Lincoln County Hospital.

Saturday's game will be the first game for his team-mates since, and no doubt their thoughts will be with Smith.