AFTER their 2-1 home victory over AFC Telford United on Monday, the more pessimistic Bradford Park Avenue fans were thinking that one more win from their remaining seven matches would mean that they are safe in Vanarama National League North for another season.

However, with Avenue only two places and four points behind today's seventh-placed visitors Stockport County, manager Mark Bower and his players are only thinking of securing a play-off berth with seven matches left.

The over-riding emotion was one of relief after victory over Telford was Avenue's first in seven matches since they beat Gainsborough Trinity 5-0 in their previous Monday night excursion at Horsfall Stadium.

Bower said: "People have been scoring 'worldies' against us and we have been on the wrong end of referee's decisions, and there was a definite foul on Shane Killock in the build-up to Telford's goal from a penalty, but we were better in the second half and are only four points outside the play-off places."

Avenue's distribution from defence in the first half was a sign of their lack of confidence caused by their lack of wins, but an injury to Danny Boshell meant that man of the match Frank Mulhern came on at half-time, and the striker scored with two headers to give Avenue a much-needed victory.

"A win has been been a long time coming and Frank has come up with the goods, but we are pleased to get the win and it gives us a lift as we try to get into the play-offs," said experienced defender Matt Hill

Tomorrow's pivotal game against Stockport is all-ticket, with full segregation in effect.

Tickets are £10 for adults, £7 for concessions, £5 for students and £2 for under-18s, and home fans, who will have no access to the Park Road car park, will only be able to enter the ground via the Cemetery Road turnstiles.

Avenue fans will, as usual, have access to the clubhouse and in-house cafe, and will be able to view the match from the main stand, one half of the pavilion side, and the stand behind the goal.

Fans of both teams are requested to turn up early to avoid congestion for what is limited seating.

On Easter Monday, Avenue are at 10th-placed Chorley, who are level with Avenue but have two games in hand, and victory in both matches would put Avenue in the thick of the race for the play-offs.