Bradford Park Avenue boss John Deacey was obviously disappointed and frustrated following his side’s defeat at North Ferriby United in midweek but he was quick to put it into context.

“We are keeping pace with some very, very good sides so there is no need to start changing things,” he said today.

Avenue are fifth in the Evo-Stik Premier Division but trail tomorrow's visitors Chorley by four points.

Deacey spoke of a ‘missed opportunity’ and the need to sign a goal-poacher ‘a fox in the box’ in the build-up to this weekend's game after a 2-1 defeat at mid-table Ferriby on Tuesday.

However, Deacey is still very confident he can guide the club forward.

He said: “We don’t usually start this well, so if we have a second half of the season like our last two then we will be up there.

"We are usually playing catch-up from here on in from about tenth or 11th but this season we are in a much stronger position.

“Chester and Hednesford are getting away a bit but they will begin to feel the pressure, and that can do all sorts to you.

"This is a very tough league this year with some very good clubs in it with good, deep squads. I think it will go right to the wire this year.”

The Avenue manager is tinkering with his squad and is on the lookout for two specialist players.

He has leads to follow up but will not reveal his targets or the areas he is aiming to bolster, although one is obviously a free-scoring forward.

He did confirm that he wants Tom Greaves back from Garforth Town when his loan expires.

Deacey said: “He went on loan because he had missed a lot of football. He spent a lot of time on the bench and wasn’t match fit when he was coming on.

“That’s why we sent him for a month with the intention of allowing him to get games, and he has been scoring goals.

"We are hoping when he does come back that he will be fitter and have his confidence back.

“We want the Tom Greaves who was here last season and finished as our top scorer.

"There is no doubt about it - Tom Greaves is a quality player who knows where the net is. That’s when he is on top of his game and that’s the Tom we hope we will see again."