A DEFEAT in the Yorkshire derby last weekend means that Bradford Park Avenue cannot climb out of the Vanarama National North relegation zone, even with a home victory on Saturday.

Mark Bower’s side were in the bottom three on goal difference only before their 1-0 defeat at promotion-chasing Harrogate Town.

Now Avenue must look for a home win against mid-table Boston United to reignite their quest for survival.

Former Bantams skipper Bower has been making changes to the squad he inherited at Park Avenue since the turn of the year.

He hoped that the transfer window opening in the Football League would lead to some movement at National League level, and that has been the case.

He signed forward players Aidan Chippendale, from rivals Stalybridge Celtic, and snapped up Bradford City’s Reece Webb-Foster on a loan deal.

Both came on from the bench in the second half at Harrogate but couldn’t rescue Avenue, who were 1-0 down at the time.

Former Avenue captain Simon Ainge netted the hosts’ winning goal early on but was later sent off as Harrogate ended the game with nine men, John-Paul Pittman having received a straight red card in the first half.

Avenue’s Nicky Boshell had a second-half penalty saved to complete a bad day.

The Avenue manager has allowed two players to go out on loan – Tom Davie to rivals Gainsborough Trinity, and Sanchez Payne, who has joined Evo-Stik League outfit Goole AFC, both on one-month loan deals.

Bower was without recent addition Wayne Brooksby last weekend – a player he had worked with at Guiseley – because he was on loan from Harrogate.

Bower said: “We beat Harrogate in the County Cup a few days earlier but we knew that the league game would be a different proposition.

“They are looking to get back into the play-off places so fielded a stronger squad in the league game.

"Wayne was not available for either game, and that’s quite understandable because he’s only on loan.

“I fully understand Harrogate’s position on that and think that it’s right.

"From my point of view it was a shame because Wayne had played well on his debut at home against Salford City and then had another good game at Worcester, so he was a big miss, just as he was settling in.”

Brooksby will be back in the squad this weekend for the visit of the Pilgrims, who are five places above Avenue but are only seven points better off.

Boston climbed away from danger with a five-game unbeaten run, taking nine points from a possible 15, but that run came to an end with a 2-0 home defeat to Stockport County last time out.