BRADFORD Park Avenue cannot afford to retreat into their shell or lick their wounds following their FA Cup exit after two epic battles against Harrogate Town as they face a tough test tomorrow.

Yet another of the Vanarama National League North's full-time outfits heads to Horsfall Stadium as Avenue host Kidderminster Harriers.

Avenue are just behind York City in a table that Harrogate sit proudly atop, while the Harriers are just one point behind Mark Bower's men.

The Avenue boss said: "We are out of the FA Cup, that's gone for us this season, but we can take positives from both of the games against Harrogate and it's up to us to take those into tomorrow's game.

"We have proved that we can stand up to the best in our league and that should keep the confidence high. When you look at the table, 14 or 15 teams will feel they are in with a chance of the play-offs and they are all capable.

"At the moment, Kidderminster are in a false position and I will guarantee they will be in the play-offs, at least, at the end of the season. They lost quite a few players over the summer and crucially both of their centre halves.

"But they have made some good signings recently. They brought in Jimmy O'Connor last week – he played 40-odd games for Walsall in League One last season.

"They also paid a substantial fee to Fylde for a player earlier this season and that shows what we're up against.

"I can see Kidderminster going on a good long run and climbing the table because their side is packed with quality.

"We will respect that about our opponents but I don't see any reason why we can't get a result against them because this league is so equal."

Former Derby County and Doncaster Rovers man O'Connor has never played outside the Football League and he joins former Rotherham United and Leicester City defender James Pearson at Kidderminster.

Pearson left Coventry City last month and the Harriers have also landed former Stoke City full back Joel Taylor.

The cup tie and then the replay against Harrogate in a three-day spell did take its toll on Avenue's small squad.

Bower said: "Any injuries with a squad like ours are obviously a blow but considering the two games in a couple of days and the intensity of those games, I think we've come through pretty well.

"There are a couple of doubts over Wayne Brooksby (ankle) and Javan Vidal (hamstring) but we'll see how they are. I'm pretty sure that Wayne and Jav will both miss this weekend but no one is definitely ruled out."