BRADFORD (Park Avenue) manager Mark Bower hopes Lewis Knight's stunner against Hereford on Saturday is a sign that his players are getting their confidence back, as four solid signings made impressive debuts in the surprise 3-2 win at Horsfall.

Knight netted Bradford's second goal, twisting his body to cushion a delicate sidefooted volley over the keeper and into the net.

Bower felt that Knight's confidence had been knocked, like most of the team, by poor results this season, but that a win and new players coming in should see things improve.

He said: "Last season Lewis had some really good spells but his confidence has been affected, as it's difficult to be in a struggling team.

"But we've brought in a few new signings and it gives us a fresh start. I just want players to concentrate on their individual role and be more free.

"We were playing well, had a few good chances and maybe that's why Lewis took the shot on. It was a fantastic finish and it looks even better watching the footage back."

Adam Nowakowski scored on his Avenue return, having played under Bower in the previous two seasons, Billy Priestley returned to the club after nearly four years away, and veteran striker Oli Johnson was spotted in the stands, ahead of a possible return.

However, the manager insisted it was not as simple as "getting the band back together".

After four new players started for Bower against Hereford, he mused: "Adam was the only one who had played under me before. Joe Green, Billy Priestley and Liam Hughes never had.

"We'd been conceding from set pieces so I wanted to bring in steel and physical presence. As long as we're solid, we can pick up points and maybe afford to be choosy over who else we bring in."

Bower has warned fans not to get carried away with one result, saying there needs to be no complacency from players or fans as consistency is required above all else.

The road to consistency begins with tomorrow's league clash at Gloucester City, an intriguing game against a club who have spent the previous two seasons in the Vanarama National League South.

Bower said: "I have to catch up on my match preparation for all teams, but when I was out of the game earlier in the season, I was watching more local teams so I've not seen Gloucester live.

"But they were in this league a few years ago. We know what their players are like and as much as we can about the team.

"They've got a new ground (The Jubilee Stadium) and overall it is a different challenge to last week. But we've got confidence behind us after Hereford, which gives us a good chance."