BRADFORD Park Avenue manager Mark Bower has admitted that budget restraints and injuries have hampered his squad's play-off push, but he has praised the versatility of this season's signings.

He said: "We've been limited in terms of the budget that we've got, when trying to compete with other teams.

"What we've tried to do this season was have players that cover a few positions. The likes of Nicky Clee, Javan Vidal and Adam Nowakowski have been able to do that for us.

"Unfortunately we've had all of them out recently so that's hindered us. We'd not been too bad with injuries this season but then suddenly we got them all at once.

"With the resources that we've got, we've done well to get to the penultimate game of the season still thinking about a play-off spot, even though it's probably out of our reach now."

Bower is unlikely to make many changes in Avenue's remaining games, although he admitted that a lack of alternative options was the principal reason for that.

He does not want their level to slip though, saying: "We'll be approaching the game on Saturday (at home to Harrogate Town) by going out to win it."

"But even if we win both remaining games, I don't think it will be enough because Spennymoor and Chorley are very good teams with very winnable fixtures.

"We've set the target of making sure we finish in the top half and we still want to achieve that."

Ryan Toulson was the surprise match-winner for Avenue on Tuesday night, his late goal securing a 1-0 away win at Brackley Town.

It was Toulson's first goal of the season and it came with the full back playing in an unusual midfield role.

Bower was well aware of the 32-year-old's capabilities in a more advanced position though, saying: "We wanted to play with a midfield three and Ryan played there against Stockport a couple of weeks ago.

"He'd done it earlier in his career too and he was able to break the play up for us and use his experience to help the people around him."