MARK Bower hopes that Saturday's key Vanarama National League home match against Spennymoor Town will be the last at Horsfall Stadium with a 1.30pm kick-off.

One of Bradford Park Avenue's six floodlight pylons was blown down during Storm Brian in late October, meaning that the matches against Salford City, Blyth Spartans and Brackley Town had early starts.

Normality in terms of a 3pm kick-off then returned for the games against Stourbridge (FA Trophy) and Tamworth, but Avenue manager Bower explained: "We have been waiting for a part that has become obsolete so it is taking a bit more time than we thought.

"But we would rather be kicking off at 1.30pm and finish in the light rather than 3pm and finish in the dark."

Although he prefers the later start, Bower can think of two benefits of beginning 90 minutes early.

He said: "Lads that have been working all week aren't kicking their heels on Saturday morning waiting for the game to come around, while spectators can watch the scores coming through in the bar afterwards while they are having a drink."

Avenue are fifth and Spennymoor, who won the FA Vase in 2013, are fourth, two points ahead with a game in hand.

Bower said: "Spennymoor are having a great season having come up (from the Evo-Stik League Premier Division via the play-offs).

"National League North is an attractive division to play in with clubs such as Darlington, York, Salford and FC United, and Spennymoor have resisted big offers for their striker (Glen Taylor, who has already scored 14 goals this season)."

Avenue are hoping to have both Shane Killock and Nicky Clee back.

Killock's back seized up inside half an hour of Avenue's 1-1 draw at Curzon Ashton on New Year's Day, but Bower said: "Our physio has been working with him and he should be okay.

"Nicky got a kick on an ankle due to a bad tackle against Curzon on Boxing Day.

"We could have risked him on New Year's Day, but decided it was better to wait."