BRADFORD Park Avenue’s National League North survival bid was stalled in midweek following the late call off of their clash with promotion-chasing Darlington 1883 due to a waterlogged pitch.

Now Mark Bower’s men face a totally different test as they host bottom team Altrincham.

Avenue had endured three league defeats on the spin before last weekend’s 3-1 away win at fellow strugglers AFC Telford United, where Wayne Brooksby netted a hat-trick.

Saturday’s match kicks off a run of important games which sees them tackling Alfreton Town and FC United of Manchester, two teams who are both within reach in the table.

Bower’s men follow up with games against a Tamworth side desperate to break into the play-off places and runaway leaders AFC Fylde.

Following last Saturday’s return to winning ways, which came after the low of a 4-3 defeat at then basement side Stalybridge Celtic, Avenue boss Bower said: “We wanted a reaction from the players and we got the right one.

“We’ve got a four-point advantage over the relegation places at the moment and that is the biggest gap the club has had this season.

“We have to keep chipping away at that gap and picking points up where we can.

“There will be more setbacks along the way but the ultimate aim is to stay in this division and we’re heading in the right direction.

“It’s vital for the club to stay in the National League set up and then look towards next season.”

Bower has transformed Avenue’s prospects of achieving that short term goal since his arrival and his side have double the points total of their visitors who have played one game more at this stage.

Altrincham are 13 points below the current safety line but have beaten both Boston United and Worcester City, clubs either side of Avenue in the table, in their last six games.

The visitors have two former Avenue men in their ranks, keeper Tim Deasy and striker Damian Reeves.

Deasy was one of seven Altrincham players sidelined through injury for their midweek home game against Nuneaton Town, which ended in a 3-1 defeat.

Reeves was on the bench and he may well occupy a similar role at Horsfall Stadium.

Avenue have reduced their admission prices for the game.

Adults will be charged £6 instead of £11, while OAPs will be charged just £3, down from £7.