ALBION Sports manager Kulwinder Sandhu bemoaned his side’s winter woes, but hopes their last-gasp winner in a 2-1 victory over Hall Road Rangers will give them confidence ahead of tomorrow’s Bradford district derby at Liversedge.

The Lions had suffered five consecutive Toolstation Northern Counties East League Premier Division defeats before last Saturday’s home win over Rangers, but Sandhu felt that circumstances conspired against them during that awful run.

He said: “We had a man sent off in each of our previous four games (before Hall Road). We were also missing six or seven key men during that run, and at this level, it’s very hard to replace them with players of the same quality.”

Revenge is on the agenda for Albion this weekend, after losing 4-2 at home to Sedge in November. They were in control of that contest, taking an early lead, before one incident turned the game on its head.

Sandhu moaned: “We were 2-0 up in the first half but then our keeper was sent off, which was the changing factor, as they scored four times after the break.

“In a derby, it’s all about local pride. We’ve already beaten Thackley away this season but then we lost to Sedge at home. Even though it’s still only three points on offer tomorrow, it means more because we know a lot of their players and management team.”

Availability has been a major issue for Albion over the past month, but some crucial players could make their return against Sedge.

The Lions’ top scorers this season, Ombeni Ruhanduka and Alhassane Keita have missed the last few games and it was left to a pair of unlikely sources to down Rangers last week.

Chris Fairhurst netted the 90th minute winner to snatch the three points. It was his second goal in three games, having not previously scored all season.

The identity of their opening goalscorer, Sam Denton, was even more unusual, as Sandhu explained: “Sam is a centre half but we had to push him forward as we’ve had no strikers over the last two or three weeks.

“Ombeni and Alhassane should both be available at the weekend, but we’re still missing Hassan Ali and Alex Laird to long-term injuries.”

A player who could make his debut against Sedge is young forward Marcel Chigumira, who signed three weeks ago from Goole AFC.

Explaining his absence, Sandhu said: “He was due to make his debut at Garforth Town (on December 15) but he got injured the day before playing football at university. Fingers crossed he should be fit for tomorrow’s game though.”