Avenue had to dig deep to stop to the rot but they came back from 3-1 down to draw at Whitby Town last weekend and that will have given them a huge boost in confidence as they take on Witton Albion at Horsfall Stadium.

Following seven straight defeats, Avenue took a point and have the chance to return to winning ways in front of their own supporters. Witton are in the top six and chasing promotion, but then so were Whitby.

Gary Brook's men have had a torrid time since the early-season run that saw them at the sharp end of the table. Now they are just four points and three places above the trapdoor.

That is why Brook has been working tirelessly to bring in new signings and his relentlessness is finally paying off.

Young keeper Neil Thompson from Carlisle United, midfielder Jimmy Beadle from Scarborough and Achille Traore, who has been on a long journey to get to Horsfall, appear to fit the bill.

"Jimmy scored again, his third in his first three games, while Tommo is doing well and improving in every game," said manager Brook after his side's excellent draw at Whitby had sunk in.

"The lads at the back didn't have the best of games and Achille started up front for the first time but he struggled. It was a rude awakening for him but he has the ability and he will improve.

"The physical side was a bit of a shock to him and it was a dreadful pitch - impossible to play football on. It will have given him an insight into English football but I'm sure he will come to terms with it."

All the players on duty last week will be involved for the Witton game, and Paul Haworth and Tom Agus are likely to be added to the squad, leaving Brook with a selection conundrum.

Haworth, a loan signing like Thompson and Traore, would have been involved last Saturday but he missed catching the team bus because he was in a car accident. Agus will have to undergo a fitness test after an injury in a reserve-team match.

Bradford Park Avenue (from): Thompson, Smith, Newton, Walsh, Jarvis, Jones, Calcutt, Beadle, Greaves, Traore, Flynn, Oleksewycz, McLaughlin, O'Brien, Haworth, Agus.