Phil Sharpe will step straight off a plane and into the heat of Avenue's desperate battle to avoid the Unibond drop.

The Horsfall boss was on holiday for the 4-0 midweek loss to North Ferriby which has left his side clinging to their Premier Division status.

But Sharpe is back in the dug-out for the final home game against Telford tomorrow - a critical showdown with absolutely no margin for error.

Defeat against the mid-table Stags, who have not lost since January 21, coupled with wins for Lincoln and Wakefield & Emley would condemn Avenue.

But the home side, who face fellow strugglers Radcliffe on the last day, are determined to take it to the wire and refuse to contemplate the nightmare scenario.

Football director Alan Hirst said: "There is no escaping the fact this game is a must-win for us. Nobody is bothered if it's ugly as long as we get the three points and then go to Radcliffe with some hope.

"It's a boost to have the manager back. It was a holiday that he had already booked and he changed it once - but then they rearranged the Ferriby game.

"But I don't think Clive Freeman (Sharpe's assistant) could have done any more on Wednesday."

Avenue must shake off the hangover of the Ferriby game, when they peppered the woodwork but still came out on the wrong end of a four-goal hiding.

Hirst admitted: "We could do with a visit from Lady Luck because we were devoid of it on Wednesday. To lose 4-0 having played so well was really cruel and the Ferriby people said that themselves.

"But that's what can happen when you are down at the wrong end and we can't let it affect our performance tomorrow."

A very different Avenue side thumped Telford 6-3 in September but the visitors now boast an unbeaten 14-match run. They drew 2-2 at Radcliffe in midweek after letting slip a two-goal lead.

Lutel James will return to the Avenue attack but Neil Ross is struggling with the back injury he suffered against Ferriby.

Hirst hopes the Horsfall faithful can play their part and rally the troops. He said: "Our supporters are great and I'm sure they'll really get behind us for this one."