FORMER Football League clubs go head to head in Vanarama National League North at Edgeley Park on Saturday when Bradford Park Avenue take on Stockport County.

Avenue are outside the relegation places on goal difference, while their hosts are in the play-off spots but the sides go into the game on a similar run of form.

The Hatters and Avenue have banked nine points following two victories, three draws and one defeat.

Avenue’s loss was their first in that sequence six games ago, while Stockport were beaten four games ago.

Both drew last Saturday but while Bradford’s home draw with Gloucester City saw them remain on the same points as the Tigers, who are below the trapdoor, County’s stalemate with Curzon Ashton kept them in fifth.

Avenue boss Martin Drury freshened his squad up just before last Saturday’s home game by bringing Connor Hughes in from FC Halifax Town and allowing Chris Howarth to join Farsley Celtic, also on loan.

Drury was pleased with Hughes’ debut after he started last week wide on the left. There was no room in the 16-man match-day squad for recent signing Jake Scott.

Drury said: "I thought Connor was exceptional, especially on debut because he had only just come into the club.

“He showed us glimpses of what he is capable of and I think he will do well for us while he’s here.

"For me, Connor is a special player – he has all the ability and athleticism but he also has that certain something which makes him difficult for opponents to play against.

“Jake missed out on the starting line-up and even the bench on that occasion but that was just down to us having so many players available.

"He isn’t carrying an injury, so he is available when needed but – for once – we had 17 or 18 players to select from.

“He will get his game time and he will play his part because it is a squad game these days and you have to have options.”

Stockport signed Lamin Colley from Avenue in the close season and the forward has featured six times for the Hatters so far but is still waiting for his first goal.

Callum Dyson is Stockport’s leading marksman with three as they, like their visitors, have found it difficult to score goals.

Both clubs have managed only 13 but County have played a game more.