BRADFORD Park Avenue boss Mark Bower feels that the achievements of Vanarama National League clubs Lincoln City and Sutton United in the FA Cup last weekend highlight the quality below the Football League.

Bower’s current club and his former employers Guiseley are both battling relegation in their respective divisions in the National League’s two-tier structure, but the former Bradford City skipper believes that the Imps and the U’s beating Championship clubs proves the difficulties that Avenue and Guiseley face week in week out.

Sutton were due to visit Guiseley for a league meeting but that game was shelved as they hosted Leeds United in the FA Cup.

The U’s won 1-0, courtesy of a second-half penalty, while Lincoln beat Chris Houghton’s Brighton at the Amex Arena 3-1, despite being a goal down at half-time.

Bower said: “For two clubs from the National League to reach the last 16 of the FA Cup is a remarkable achievement, and they both deserved to win.

“Lincoln convincingly beat Brighton, and Sutton played really well. It doesn’t surprise me though because it just proves what good quality there is in this league.

"Good players have filtered down, and the Football League clubs are loaning players out because they know they will be playing at a high standard and it will be worth their while.

“The number of full-time clubs in the National is increasing and there could be six or seven in National North next season. There’s a handful already and, depending on who goes up and who comes down, it will increase.

“That makes it difficult for clubs of our size and budget and it brings tough games one after the other.”

Bower is desperate to steer Park Avenue out of relegation trouble so that the club can continue its growth.

He has worked long and hard to bring new players to Horsfall Stadium as he looks for the right balance in his squad.

Bower added: “We need to stay in this league, and looking at the successes of Lincoln and Sutton flying the flag for the top end of non-league football, it shows just how important it is that we do retain our current standing.

“The club have ambitious plans that will take it forward and we’ve got to keep those plans on track by getting it right on the pitch.

"We have to learn some lessons from this season and make sure we get enough points to earn our place for next season.”