BRADFORD Park Avenue's eagerly-anticipated Vanarama National League North derby at Horsfall Stadium tomorrow is the beginning of a crucial period for the club which could determine their season.

Mark Bower’s men host FC Halifax Town, hoping to avoid a 4-0 thrashing which was the result of the reverse fixture at The Shay.

That was Bower’s first game in charge and, although things have changed since then, both clubs covet the points for different reasons.

Avenue go into the game above the drop zone but could find themselves back in the relegation places if they lose, while the Shaymen are looking to stay in the play-off places.

Bower said: “This is the start of five games in 15 days for us and we face a real mixed bag of opposition, so it’ll be a big test but we will go into every one of those games looking for a positive result.

“If we can get three or even four wins from these games we’ll pull clear but, equally, if we get two draws from the five games then we’re in big trouble again. It’s a boring old cliché but we have to take each game as it comes.”

Following tomorrow visit of the fifth-placed Shaymen, Avenue have three away games - against Stalybridge Celtic, AFC Telford United and Darlington 1883 before returning to Horsfall two weeks tomorrow against Altrincham.

Stalybridge are currently second from bottom and AFC Telford 16th, just three points better off than Avenue, while Darlington are just one point outside the play-off places and Altrincham are basement boys.

Bower said: “Alfreton’s win over Halifax on Tuesday shows that there are no gimmes and no-one can take anything for granted. We can beat Halifax - it doesn’t matter where we are in the league - and Altrincham can come here and win.

“There are a lot of games in a short space of time and it is a very important stage of the season, but we’ve got the squad to cope with the demands we’re faced with, especially now with Jake Hibbs, Gavin Rothery and Wayne Brooksby on loan to us.

“Jake can’t play tomorrow against his club but Gav has joined us from Gainsborough and we’ve been able to extend Wayne’s loan until the first of April. That’s as far as we can we take it for now but we’ll see if we can keep him until the end of the season when the time comes.

“There are so many games in March that it will be difficult but the carrot is there for the lads. We’re out of the relegation zone and these players can get us over the line as we look to stay in this division.”