BRADFORD Park Avenue find themselves with yet another game in hand following the frustration of Saturday’s abandonment but are now just four points above the drop zone as they host promotion-chasing Harrogate Town tomorrow.

Town are fourth in Vanarama National League North as they arrive at Horsfall for the derby, and that puts Simon Weaver's men just behind AFC Fylde, whose home game against Avenue was washed out.

There had been some rain prior to kick-off but nothing like the deluge that started about 20 minutes into the game and led to the 34th-minute abandonment, seven minutes after Danny Rowe had put Fylde ahead with a penalty.

The referee called the captains together and asked the managers to join them before the inevitable decision was made.

The Coasters' chief groundsman Daniel Bunce said: “There was no standing water at kick-off but there was a huge downpour in a very short space of time.

“There was some rain around midday but that was fine and nothing compared to what came down during the game. We’re all disappointed and I do feel for Bradford Park Avenue as they have a lot of games to fit in, but honestly there was nothing that could have been done.”

It has certainly been an eventful first week for new Bradford boss Darren Edmondson after he took over from Martin Drury.

Edmondson won his first game in charge, although he wasn’t allowed to take his place in the dug-out for Wednesday’s 1-0 home victory over Chorley, due to contractual issues with his former club Barrow.

After he and new assistant manager Alex Meechan introduced themselves to the squad on Tuesday, followed quickly by the win the day after, he made his first signing on Thursday when he brought in centre back Joe Wilkinson from Huddersfield Town.

The 20-year-old, who had regularly skippered the Terriers’ under-21s this term, was told that his contract would not be renewed, so he was a free agent.

The following day Michael Potts was sent out on loan at Shaw Lane Aquaforce for the rest of the season.

Another four signings then followed with the arrivals of Liam Dickinson, Ben Gordon, Luke Woodford and Ryan James.

Striker Dickinson comes in on loan from Guiseley and has scored six goals for the Lions in the National League this term.

Gordon is also well known in the area, the Bradford-born player coming to prominence in 2007 when he was one of two starlets plucked from the Leeds United Academy to sign for Chelsea.

The home support tomorrow could be seeing a very different Avenue – at the very least a hungry and determined side desperate to prove their worth and keep the new signings out of the starting line-up.

Tomorrow’s clash will be a dummy run for the West Riding County Cup final as the sides meet again at Valley Parade next month as Avenue look to defend their trophy.