MARK Bower is looking for a marked improvement from his side when Bradford Park Avenue travel to AFC Telford United tomorrow.

The Bucks are two places higher and three points better off than Avenue in National North, and Bower is urging his players to prove that they have the quality and desire to close the gap on their hosts – and repair some of the damage to their survival bid.

He said: “We have simply got to get back to winning ways after a few bad results and we’re certainly looking for a reaction after a very poor performance at Stalybridge.

“We have to look at that and learn lessons from what went wrong on Tuesday. We defended very poorly and didn’t deal with their strengths. We gave them far too many chances and they could have scored more than they did.”

Stalybridge Celtic were rock-bottom when Avenue visited and, although Bower’s men scored three goals, they still travelled home with nothing.

Despite suffering that confidence-bashing defeat, Bradford are still above the drop zone as they head to the New Bucks Stadium.

Rob Smith’s Telford may have a bigger cushion over the relegation places but are also looking for a boost following back-to-back defeats.

The Bucks lost 2-1 at promotion-chasing Chorley last Saturday and were on the end of a 6-0 hammering at home to Brackley Town the previous Tuesday. They have also been without experienced striker Lee Hughes who they signed from rivals Worcester City last month.

Bower added: “We have no fresh injury concerns as everyone came through the Stalybridge game okay, but Oli Johnson is suspended after his red card against Halifax.

"After a defeat like Tuesday’s we would probably have been looking to make changes anyway. Nicky Boshell won’t be involved and will probably miss the Darlington game next Wednesday because he isn't even training yet.

“Telford are only three points above so there’s a real incentive for us, but they will see it as a chance for them to put a bit of daylight between them and the rest of us.

“They’ve got big players as well and Hughes could be back for them. He’s missed two or three games so they’ll be keen to get him back in the side.”