SEVERAL of Bradford Park Avenue's rivals have undergone recent changes at the top but boss Mark Bower does not believe this will automatically give them a boost in the race for survival.

When a struggling side brings in a new management team there is often a reaction from the playing staff, resulting in an upturn in fortunes, even if only short-lived.

Park Avenue’s visitors tomorrow, Gainsborough Trinity, will be playing their first game under caretaker boss Adam Quinn after Dominic Roma resigned last Sunday.

Alfreton Town also have a new man at the helm as assistant Russ O'Neill was promoted to first-team coach after former Bradford City manager Nicky Law oversaw his last game last Saturday.

Bower said: “You sometimes get a bounce when a new man comes in but not always and I don’t think that will be the case with these clubs.

“The Alfreton situation is different because they didn’t sack their manager – he was offered a job he couldn’t turn down. Nicky has been there a long time and his are big boots to fill so it will be difficult for the club to replace him.

“I can’t see them getting a bounce out of this and not all clubs do. I know that it hasn’t happened to us in the two jobs we’ve come into. It has taken time to settle in and make improvements before results began to pick up.”

Law has accepted a role with Sean Dyche’s Burnley as head of national recruitment for under-17s to under-23s at the Premier League outfit.

Two more of Avenue's relegation rivals are also hoping managerial changes will kick-start their survival fights.

Worcester City are in the hunt for a new manager after long-serving Carl Heeley stepped down at the end of last month and Stalybridge Celtic have just appointed former Southport manager Steve Burr as their new boss.

The battle at the bottom is intensifying with four points separating 16th-placed Alfreton from Avenue, who occupy the third relegation spot in 20th.

Bower, who took over 13 games into the season, is hoping to build on last week's encouraging 2-1 win at Curzon Ashton.

He said: “One of the clubs might get a bit of a bounce from getting a new manager and go on a run. But it could go either way and they might struggle for points.

“It’s really unpredictable because any of the teams in there is capable of pulling away from the lower end with a little run. That’s what we’re looking to do because two or three results together can make a massive difference.”

Meanwhile, defender Harry Coates has had his contract with Avenue cancelled by mutual consent.

The centre back has departed due to a lack of opportunities and is expected to join Hyde United, where he has spent three months of the season on loan.