It is not often a club enjoys a very good away win and yet drops a place in the league table but that fate befell Bradford Park Avenue last week.

After a frustrating six weeks without a fixture because of the weather, Avenue finally got their push for promotion back underway.

A victory prior to the lay-off had taken them to second in the UniBond League Premier Division, but, despite a 3-1 victory at Matlock Town last Saturday, they slipped to third.

Saturday sees them back on home turf as they host mid-table Marine.

Despite last week’s setback, Avenue can still go top if they beat their Merseyside visitors.

Avenue moved heaven and earth in an attempt to get their home derby against Guiseley played on Boxing Day but to no avail.

In doing that, they damaged the pitch but the playing surface at Horsfall Stadium has recovered.

Club director Kevin Hainsworth, who was armed with a snow shovel and a pitchfork on Boxing Day, has been closely involved.

He said: “The pitch is looking really well. We have been on it during the week with a heavy roller, the grass is growing and it is firm and ready for the visit of Marine.

“After all the comments suggesting we had ruined the surface and would never be able to play on it again this season, it is looking rather well.

"We would never put that at risk because we know a flat, smooth pitch is essential for our game of pass and move.”

Bradford boss John Deacey has one injury concern in forward Matty James, who had a non-football related fall on the ice during the bad spell of weather. The shoulder injury he suffered sidelined him last weekend and could keep him out of the squad on Saturday.

In his absence, Deacey paired recent signing Brice Tiani with leading scorer Aiden Savory. It was a partnership that worked well until Tiani switched to his more familiar left-wing position.

The change was made in the second half when Luke Gibson was substituted. That allowed Chris Hall to come on from the bench and he looked lively and created a second for Savory, whose brace took his season’s tally to 17.

Hall was deposed as the club’s leading marksman during an extended period with a niggling ankle injury but he looked back to his best at Matlock and that will give Deacey a selection headache this weekend.

* Saturday's game is the first since the club announced their initiative of reduced-admission prices.

Anyone paying full price entry this weekend will be given a ticket that will allow them in for half price for any other game throughout February.

The club are also offering reduced admission for season-ticket holders of other local clubs throughout the month.

Bantams, Leeds United, Huddersfield Town and Halifax Town fans can get in for half price on production of their season ticket, as can Bulls and Rhinos supporters.