Avenue take on Gateshead at Horsfall Stadium this evening knowing they can climb out of the bottom three of the Northern Premier League if they can force a victory.

Manager Phil Sharpe, who signed five new players last week and has since recruited Stephen Ball from Guiseley as well, is expected to play them all from the start as the team attempt to win a league game for the first time since the end of October.

Avenue officials are still smarting over the way Saturday's match at Horsfall Stadium was called off at the last minute when Runcorn failed to show.

Runcorn's non-appearance is set to be discussed by the UniBond League's management committee a week on Sunday, although the game has already been rearranged for Wednesday, April 12.

That is two days before the visit of Ossett Town as Avenue gear up for a busy Easter.

Sharpe worked on the soggy Horsfall pitch from 10am on Saturday, alongside volunteers, to help get it fit.

Now he must put Runcorn to the back of his mind as he

prepares his new-look team for Gateshead.

"Gateshead is a must-win game for us," he said.

"I am having to prepare the lads without them able to train on the pitch because it is too wet.

"But you have got to get over these hurdles at the end of the day. I would have played all

our new players on Saturday against Runcorn.

"It is unbelievable how hard we have had to work to get these lads in. Now they are all ready to give their all for Bradford Park Avenue."

Former Bridlington Town captain and centre half Lee Harper is expected to line up alongside Paul Robinson and Dean Jones at the back, with full back Ball now also in the defensive equation.

Martin Thacker, who also signed from Bridlington, will play alongside fellow newcomer Phil Rowlands from Hucknall Town in midfield.

The other debutants will be Andy Lee, on the left wing,

and former Bury player Lutel James, who will spearhead Avenue's attack alongside Neil Ross.

And remember that Ross is relatively new to the side - as are Robinson and goalkeeper John Lamb.

Gateshead are in trouble themselves, just three points ahead of Avenue. For their last home game, just 87 supporters turned up to see them hammered 5-0 by Farsley Celtic.

They lost their last away game at Whitby but did beat high-flying Frickley on their travels the game before that - possibly THE result of the season.

Avenue (from): Lamb, Smith, Haworth, Walsh, Jarvis, Jones, Harper, Robinson, Benn, Thacker, Rowlands, Calcutt, Lee, James, Greaves, Oleksewycz, Ross, Mumbly, Ball.

l Park Avenue's under-19s deservedly completed a quickfire Alliance League double with a 4-3 win at Ossett Town.

On target were Ollie Purdy and Simon Rawnsley, with a Glyn Haley penalty and an own goal completing the tally.