WITH Bradford Park Avenue in the thick of the battle for the Vanarama National League North play-offs, manager Mark Bower has been delighted to both extend the contract of one player and sign another.

Striker Oli Johnson has put pen to paper until the end of next season, while defender Rob Atkinson has been loaned from Guiseley until the end of this season.

Bower knows of Johnson’s qualities from their days at Nethermoor, but the Wakefield-born forward has had a chequered career injury-wise, so Avenue were taking a slight risk.

However, former Norwich City and Oxford United striker Johnson has proved himself, and Bower said: “We said we would talk about a contract later on and we are happy to keep our part of the bargain.

“We hope that he will be an important part of the club for several years.

“Keeping your best players is just as important as making new signings.”

Atkinson, who like Johnson is 30, was a part-time player at Guiseley.

Bower said: “I am sure that if Guiseley had stayed part-time then Rob would have been in the team.

“But as a part-time player with full-time players it is more difficult for him to catch the manager’s eye.

“I expect more part-time players to become available, and we are delighted to sign him. Rob went straight into the team for us at centre half on Tuesday.”

On what was a bitter-sweet night for Avenue, they surrendered a 2-0 advantage at leaders Salford City, with the equaliser coming in stoppage time as Anthony Dudley completed his brace.

“I know Anthony from Guiseley, and he never scored a goal like his second when I was manager there!” laughed Bower.

“It bobbled and his shot went right into the top corner – Drenchy stood no chance – but their first goal was fractionally offside from the second follow-up. However, I would have taken a point beforehand.”

Avenue host rock-bottom North Ferriby United tomorrow.

Bower added: “They are going to win another game before the end of the season. We just have to make sure it isn’t against us.

"North Ferriby have had some good results against Leamington and Chorley. The first half an hour will be important.”