Race is on to sign three new faces

After losing their last two at home to Frickley and Radcliffe Borough, Gary Brook's men are desperate to put on a

winning show in front of their fans.

And Brook's phone has been red-hot this week as he attempts to sign a centre half, centre forward and goalkeeper to strengthen the side.

One certain addition to the squad is

18-year-old Bradford City youth team defender Paul Denvers, who has been loaned out to Avenue on work experience.

Brook is still smarting from Tuesday evening's highway robbery at Lincoln United when the referee did a fair impression of Dick Turpin to prevent Avenue from taking a share of the spoils - only the mask was missing.

The official appeared to be the only one in the ground who did not see Lincoln's left back dive to punch away Niall O'Brien's header in the closing stages of the match. Avenue were 3-2 down at that point and the score did not change.

Brook said: "We worked ever so hard throughout that game and then the referee does this. But we have got to start defending from set-pieces. It's our big downfall and if we don't, we are going to struggle.

"We look good going forward. But we have been down to the bare bones with the forwards and I played defender Niall O'Brien up front on Tuesday. He has played there before but I am trying to sign another forward quickly.

"And hopefully I'll be signing a goalkeeper and another central defender. The goalkeeper is from Droylesden and he will be with us for a month.

"He commands his penalty area and comes out for crosses. Craig Parry is a good shot-stopper but he won't come for the ball and that is what is killing us.

"If we play like we did on Tuesday and defend properly at set-pieces, we are as good as anybody in this league and we are looking to bounce back against Ilkeston tomorrow."

l Avenue have been drawn away to Farsley Celtic in the second round of the UniBond League Challenge Cup on Tuesday, November 22.