BRADFORD (Park Avenue) boss Mark Bower is looking forward to the "match of the day" in National League North tomorrow, as his in-form side visit high-flying Brackley Town.

Avenue have picked up 12 points from their last six games, but Brackley are doing even better, having won four and drawn two of their past half-a-dozen.

But unlike 16th-placed Avenue, Town have been riding high all season. They currently sit second in the league, six points behind leaders Gateshead, but with two games in hand on them.

Discussing tomorrow's clash, Bower said: "No-one will bill it as such, but it's the match of the day in this league, with the two of us being second and fourth in the division's form table.

"Going down there will be as hard a game as we've had all season though, because they're as strong as anyone at the top end of the table.

"Brackley are an outstanding side, and they've got a lot of familiar faces there who've been together for the last four, five or six years, which means there's a real understanding within the team.

"They have strong, excellent players who know their jobs, and they're not spectacular (they've scored 34 league goals, the same amount as Avenue, but have conceded a divisional low of 17 times), but they do the basics right."

Avenue have been doing the basics pretty well themselves of late, and are now 12 points clear of the sole relegation spot, currently occupied by their West Yorkshire rivals Farsley Celtic.

But Bower insisted: "We know, first and foremost, that our aim is to still be in this division next season, so there's still work to do on that front.

"But if we can string a couple more wins together, we can maybe start looking up towards mid-table, and getting in and among teams we weren't expected to compete with at the start of the season.

"There's still lots to play for, so want to get that first part (securing safety) sorted ASAP, and then we can hopefully start looking up, not down."

Avenue moved a big step closer to survival with their 2-1 win over Leamington at Horsfall on Monday, with a blistering start followed by a nervy second half for the hosts.

Bower was particularly indebted to his goalkeeper, former Bradford City stopper George Sykes-Kenworthy, saying: "Since George came in a couple of months ago, he's done well, particularly at commanding his area.

"He's got a real presence, and the back four have a lot of confidence in him that he can deal with everything that comes his way."

Bower added: "We probably won the game in the first 15 minutes against Leamington, and though we lacked a bit of bravery in the press as the game wore on, everyone did their jobs off the ball in the second half to ensure the three points."

There is some good news on the selection front for Avenue. Lucas Odunston and Simon Richman returned from injury against Leamington, long-term absentee Jordan Windass is set to be available for Brackley, while Dylan Mottley-Henry is back from suspension this weekend.

Oli Johnson was forced off with a recurring groin niggle against Leamington, but Bower is hopeful he could even be fit again as early as tomorrow.