A SIXTH consecutive defeat consigned Bradford Park Avenue to the foot of the Vanarama National League North table in midweek, and left the mood around the club very muted.

Avenue’s luckless start to the campaign continued as they conceded a late goal and had substitute Leon Osborne’s last-minute cleared off the line.

It was tough to swallow after turning in a performance that deserved at least a point at Boston United as the Pilgrims also seemed to have dodged a last-gasp penalty decision.

Tomorrow’s home game against Worcester City would be the perfect time for Avenue to claim their first maximum.

As bad as Avenue’s situation looks, if they triumph they would join Worcester on six points and, depending on other results, climb out of the drop zone.

City boss Carl Heeley lost his right-hand man when Ian King departed on Tuesday for personal reasons. He only joined the club in the summer after joint manager Matt Gardiner left to join Kidderminster Harriers.

Worcester only claimed their first win in midweek when veteran striker Lee Hughes was on target twice as they beat Alfreton Town 5-3 at home.

Avenue boss Alex Meechan has drafted several players in on loan to cover for injuries to key players and the sudden loss of form of some regulars.

The defence has been shorn up by the inclusion of the new faces and, although Meechan’s assistant player-manager – former Premier League defender Matt Hill – has returned from injury, centre back Shane Killock is still on the road to recovery.

Meechan’s latest loan recruit is Evan Gubis, the Tranmere Rovers centre back picking up a yellow card at Boston.

One big positive has been the outstanding form of talented young Bantams keeper Joe Cracknell, who is on loan until January, and has shown character and desire.