BRADFORD Park Avenue boss Alex Meechan believes this weekend's fixture is key to defining the first eight days of the new campaign.

Avenue host Nuneaton Town in Vanarama National North after opening the season with back-to-back draws.

Both of those were earned by stoppage-time equalisers, at Gainsborough Trinity last Saturday and at home to Curzon Ashton in midweek.

Meechan said: "I'm a little disappointed that we only took two points from those games but you've got to look at the positives that we can take, although the two draws leave people looking at us and wondering.

"If we win this weekend, then it's a good start, we'll be unbeaten in three and have five points, but if we lose then all of a sudden it's a poor opening and we've got just two points from a possible nine.

"This really is a critical game for us and we, as a management team, and the players know that."

Meechan has been a little pleased and more than a little frustrated by the first two results. He has seen his side play well in parts and show true grit and resilience but has also witnessed some average defending.

He said: "We could, and should, have defended better as a unit and that starts from the front the minute we lose possession. But we've scored five goals in two games and shown a lot of character and desire not to be beaten.

"The first half hour of the Curzon game the other night was almost perfect as the players executed the game plan. If we play like that for 90 minutes, we'll win a lot of games.

"It's after seeing that when the disappointment comes in. You see the full potential of the side but end up needing a late equaliser just to get a point. But we did score four goals and coped well after going 4-3 down.

"Like I say, it's hard to determine what kind of a start to the season we're having."