AN away win in midweek lifted Bradford Park Avenue back into the top ten in the Vanarama National League North and their task on Saturday is to try to improve their home form.

Boss Mark Bower has warned his players to stay on their toes and remain focused as they take on Nuneaton Town at Horsfall Stadium.

While Avenue are only three points behind fourth-placed Southport, their opponents are a lowly 18th and just one point above the relegation places.

Bower said: “It’ll be another tough game as they all are in this division, they’re a full-time side and they play good football.

“You can’t look at the table as a guide at the moment because the point differences are so slight, two wins and other results going your way can move you several places.

“We realise we’re in for a difficult game, but we know what we have to do and we’ve got the confidence after the run we’ve been on and possibly we’ll have a few more players to pick from.”

Avenue stormed to a 3-0 win at Gainsborough Trinity on Tuesday, a result that stretched their unbeaten run to five games, but they had to do it without some current regulars.

Keeper Steve Drench and centre back Luca Havern were both out after picking up injuries in Saturday’s goalless draw at Stockport. There were also a few players sidelined after the rigours of two games in three days over the Bank Holiday weekend.

Bower will have a selection headache for the right reasons against a Nuneaton team that have not won away this term.

The visitors have picked up just one point from their four games on the road, but two of Avenue’s three defeats have come at home.

Bower added: “It was a good win at Gainsborough, but to go anywhere and score three without conceding is a good day, it could have been more than three in the end.

“Luca had a little hamstring strain from the Stockport game and Drenchy had a fitness test but was 40/60 against so we decided not to risk him. Young Ed Hall came in and had an excellent game so full credit to him.

“He made some good saves so deserved his clean sheet. He didn’t have a lot to do but what he needed to do he did well. What pleased me most was the confidence he showed.

“If you have a nervous keeper at the back it spreads through the team but Ed’s contribution was spot on.

“He was very vocal and commanded his area. He timed his runs well to collect crosses and made a couple of top-class saves.”