Bradford Park Avenue could face a dispirited side tonight or a determined one fuelled by a sense of injustice as they travel to Northwich Victoria.

The Evo-Stik Premier Division clash takes place at Nantwich Town’s ground because the Vics’ receivers sold their home ground earlier in the season.

Tonight’s clash should have been a battle for places in the play-offs to reach the Blue Square Bet North but Northwich’s hopes look to have been dashed.

The Cheshire club may be immediately above third-placed Avenue but have been found guilty of financial irregularities and are set to be expelled from the Evo-Stik League at the end of the campaign.

Those circumstances mean Bradford are effectively second and heading for home advantage in the end-of-season extras unless Northwich are successful in an appeal they could lodge.

Avenue could have done without the subtext to the plot as they look to end the season strongly. Their home victory at the weekend guaranteed them a play-off spot in any event, so their aim now is to consolidate third spot or claim second outright to get a home tie.

Bradford boss John Deacey feels any appeal will not end favourably for Northwich.

He said: “I have never known anything like this turned around so we are second going into this game and we cannot finish lower than third, so we will be at home in the play-offs.

“We are still unsure about young Jordan (Deacey, the manager’s son and midfield regular) and our skipper Rob O’Brien. They both picked up injuries in Sat-urday’s win. I would think Jordan has a better chance than Rob of playing tonight.

“The only thing we can do about Jordan is follow medical advice. He went off to hospital with a bust nose and blurred vision so whatever the doctors say we will abide by.

“With Rob, we will have to monitor his knee. It might be better to give him more recovery time.”

Deacey senior will not want to risk his captain with a final league game at fourth placed Chorley at the weekend and a potential semi-final and final in the play-offs over the following week.

It is also a big night for Farsley in the Division One North as they look to secure their place in the play-offs in the lower tier.

Neil Parsley’s men play their penultimate game of the season when they make the short journey to Harrogate Railway Athletic. As if the derby factor was not enough the play-off chasing visitors are up against a Railway side desperately trying to avoid relegation.

Farsley will be the fresher after having had a free Saturday.