MARTIN Drury and Bradford Park Avenue right-hand man Jamie Price can go into 2016 with their heads held as high as the levels of expectation around their club.

Following a difficult start to the campaign, Drury stuck to his beliefs and principles and steered Avenue to 13th place in the Vanarama National North table.

That is a far cry from when they were rock-bottom and faced fellow strugglers AFC Telford United on the first Saturday in September.

It was Avenue's eighth game of the campaign and they were still seeking their first win after what had been a very promising pre-season.

Drury's first season in charge has certainly been a difficult one but he has proved that he is up to the task and is determined to take the club forward.

His side battled to a 1-0 win against Telford at Horsfall Stadium that day, with leading scorer Chib Chilaka netting the only goal of the game. The loss column has not featured much for Drury's men since then.

Avenue have lost just two subsequent league games and are looking forward to a home tie in the FA Trophy a fortnight today.

Despite the frustrations of a twice-postponed first-round tie against recent Football League outfit Lincoln City, a third attempt to stage the game ended with Drury's men beating the National League high-fliers 2-1.

That was even though Avenue finished with ten men after having goalkeeper and skipper Jon Stewart dismissed on the night.

The Horsfall outfit travel to National League newcomers FC United of Manchester today and face a congested second half of the season following recent postponements and their cup run.

But their supporters, a section of which were undecided on Drury back in September, are now in fine voice.

Avenue have home advantage again in the second round of the Trophy as they host Evo-Stik League Premier Division side Nantwich Town seeking – along with neighbours Guiseley and FC Halifax Town – a place in the last 16 of a competition that ends with a Wembley final.

The Bradford club may not get to the spiritual home of English football, and they may not be involved in the National North promotion play-offs, but they are in with a chance of both under the leadership of Drury and Price.