MARK Bower says securing survival is his most pressing target as his Bradford (Park Avenue) face a tricky set of fixtures starting tomorrow.

Avenue host fourth-placed Kidderminster Harriers in a tough clash at Horsfall Stadium (3pm kick-off).

But Bower's 17th-placed side go into this game buoyed by last weekend's goalless draw at Vanarama National League North leaders Gateshead.

The Avenue boss has initially tasked his side with securing 'three to four points' which he believes will be enough for them to secure safety for another year.

Bower is aiming for his side to go on a run in their last nine games before the end of this season, in order to finish as high up the table as they can.

 

Avenue should be strengthened by the return of midfielder Brad Dockerty after he went off against Gateshead with a dead leg.

The Kidderminster clash starts a tough run of clashes against top 12 sides in the next two weeks. After Harriers, Avenue face Spennymoor Town, Chorley and Boston United in a busy spell of fixtures.

Bower said: "It's a big week coming up.

"Another three or four points and we will be alright.

"We want to get safe and get as many points as we can. Three or four points will be enough and then we want to kick on really. We've got to make sure.

We want to finish as high up the league as we can

"We have a tough run of matches coming up. We have Kidderminster, Spennymoor, Chorley and Boston in our next four games, they are all going for the play-offs.

"We have done OK against the teams above us this season.

"It was good to get the point against Gateshead. They are a top team and they are probably going to win the league."

Bower also had praise for tomorrow's opponents, Kidderminster, as they aim for the play-offs following their impressive FA Cup run earlier this season which saw them beaten by Premier League West Ham United after extra time in round four.

He added: "They are one of the best teams in the league.

"They were in the spotlight earlier this season with their incredible FA Cup run. They have had a hangover from that since and had a couple of injuries.

"It is probably a bad time for us to play them after they had a 5-0 win over Curzon Ashton.

"It should be a good game."

Tomorrow's attendance at Horsfall is set to be boosted by a National Lottery-backed scheme.

Fans can bring a friend to watch the game for free thanks to the Lottery's Football Weekends campaign, which sees them giving away more than 100,000 tickets to selected matches during March and April.

Avenue season ticket holders aged 18 or older who can produce a valid National Lottery ticket or scratchcard can claim a free ticket, as can non-season ticket holders who purchase a full-price adult ticket for the Kidderminster game and who can produce a valid National Lottery ticket or scratchcard.